Al-Nassr could turn their attention to Arsenal's Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, 24, after struggling to land their top target - Liverpool's Colombian forward Luis Diaz, 28. (GiveMesport), external
Arsenal have lost their under-21s manager, Mehmet Ali, to Brentford. (Football London), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesExpectations for exciting new arrivals to north London could not be higher this transfer season. Since finishing second for the third straight year, fans have been demanding significant acquisitions from the club.
As of the start of July, they might be feeling a bit disappointed.
So far, the activity has been sensible and practical. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea represents suitable competition for David Raya. In a similar vein, Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is rumoured to be joining and his Premier League experience means he will be a solid addition to the squad.
But sensible and practical signings are not what the fans are craving. Fans want multiple, marquee signings. Real Madrid's Rodrygo, with his two Champions League titles, has been discussed as a potential replacement for Gabriel Martinelli. In recent days, Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze has shot to the top of wishlists.
But the story of the summer so far is the long-awaited striker, who for many remains the obvious missing piece in Arsenal's squad. Social media debate has raged on links with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. This is truly 2025's Jennifer Aniston versus Angelina Jolie, or team blue dress versus team gold dress.
With every day that goes by without concrete updates, the fanbase gets increasingly exasperated and polarised. There has also been no confirmation of the signing of Martin Zubimendi, supposedly confirmed months ago.
In recent years, patience has not been a word associated with Arsenal fans. And unfortunately with two months still to go until the transfer window closes, there is a lot of time left to be debating which superstars could help finally win the title next season.
Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external
Arsenal have been encouraged in their £70m pursuit of Brazil forward Rodrygo, who is not guaranteed a starting spot under new Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso. (Mirror), external
Valencia's Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera, 21, has turned down a lucrative new contract with the La Liga club because he wants to join Arsenal. (Las Provincias - in Spanish), external
Lyon have set a price of at least £51.5m for 20-year-old Malick Fofana with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Nottingham Forest joining continental sides Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Napoli in the race for the Belgium winger. (Independent), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Arsenal are moving closer to a deal for Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres. The 27-year-old Sweden international has told his club he wants to join the Gunners. (L'Equipe - in French), external
Meanwhile, the Gunners have already submitted an offer to 23-year-old England winger Noni Madueke, who might leave Chelsea in the summer. (Sky Germany), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesKepa Arrizabalaga at Chelsea was simply the victim of his £71m price tag.
He was deemed the best possible option when Thibaut Courtois forced his exit from the Blues in 2018.
Chelsea had gone for Alisson but he chose Liverpool with Kepa deemed the next best option, however, Athletic Bilbao forced the Blues to pay his full release clause.
After his wobble early in his Blues career, the Spain international quickly proved not to be worth either the fee or his previous £190,000-a-week wages.
Yet, he was still highly respected behind the scenes and was deemed a top professional, good squad member and a positive character, despite his strange episode in refusing to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final in 2019.
Aside from that uncharacteristic episode, the 30-year-old has been an absolutely top professional at Chelsea and has proven capable of being a number one or number two between the sticks at Premier League level without causing disruptions.
He has always been a good option but not one to command a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, which he still holds to this day.
Kepa could be a great asset to Arsenal and should push current starter David Raya hard.
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga says he is "here to win" after completing his move from London rivals Chelsea.
The Gunners met the £5m release clause of the world's most expensive goalkeeper, who moved to the Blues for £71m in 2018, and he joins on a three-year deal.
Kepa fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons and spent the last campaign on loan at Bournemouth, where he made 35 appearances.
The 30-year-old is the latest arrival from west London, with Kai Havertz and Jorginho having made the same move in recent transfer windows, and brings the experience of winning four trophies with Chelsea.
"I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming," the 30-year-old said.
"We're here to win. I think we have a great team. I think we have great staff around here, the best facilities, so we have to prepare ourselves for this season and to have success.
"When I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana], they show me their desire to win. They showed me this ambition, how much they want to improve, how much they want to grow and I'm really here to help, to push and to win more.
"We are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it."
His arrival at the Emirates will provide competition for his Spanish compatriot David Raya.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta added: "We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He is a player we know, having come up against him many times in recent seasons. He brings a wealth of experience, which his team-mates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win.
"Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his team-mates, and we are really excited about his future with us."
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesIn England, the clubs not in Club World Cup duty have more time to get their plans together for the new Premier League season.
Like everyone else, I am a little obsessed by the comings and goings, and the transfer speculation - even if I know that a very decent percentage of it is nonsense. Much of it is just stories dreamed up by agents to drum up interest in their clients.
Liverpool got their business done early and Manchester City are also well ahead with their rebuild, so lots of eyes are turning towards Arsenal.
Martin Zubimendi should arrive to steady the midfield and Brentford's Christian Norgaard would be a sensible signing.
If defender Cristhian Mosquera comes in from Valencia and former £78m Kepa Arrizabalaga is grabbed from Chelsea for less than 10% of that original fee, the thinking seems logical.
A bit of balance on the left for Bukayo Saka's danger on the right is why the likes of Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke and even Rodrygo are being touted in the media. Any one of those four would work, so it all looks nearly very good... nearly.
The problem is still the gaping centre-forward-shaped hole that exists in the Arsenal squad. Manchester City have shown in the past that you can win things without an obvious striker, but then Arsenal have shown in recent years that it can also cost you trophies if you do not have one.
Mikel Arteta would get one if he could; Alexander Isak has long been a hope, if a somewhat forlorn one to date.
It is Groundhog Day for Arsenal fans, and they have been stuck in it for years now.
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Arsenal have held talks with representatives of 27-year-old Crystal Palace and England midfielder Eberechi Eze, who has a release clause of £67.5m. (Guardian), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford director of football Phil Giles has confirmed captain Christian Norgaard is close to joining Arsenal.
BBC Sport revealed last week that the two Premier League clubs had agreed a fee, believed to be up to £15m inclusive of add-ons, for the Denmark midfielder.
And Giles admits he expects Norgaard to complete his move to the Emirates Stadium.
"We have been in conversations with Arsenal for the last week to 10 days – as it stands it hasn't been completed yet but it is heading in that direction," Giles told BBC Sport.
"If that happens for him then fantastic, he's earned it. He's been a brilliant captain for us. Let's see how that story ends but we are pretty open about that interest there."
Arsenal have joined Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt's 23-year-old French striker Hugo Ekitike. (Sport Bild - in German, subscription required), external
Arsenal target Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres has told the club he will not return and wants a move this summer. (Record - in Portuguese, subscription required), external
Thomas Partey will leave Arsenal when his contract expires on Monday after the 32-year-old Ghana midfielder failed to agree a new deal. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Arsenal will take on north London rivals Tottenham for the signature of Crystal Palace and England midfielder Eberechi Eze, 26, who is priced at £68m. (Sun), external
The Gunners are targeting Eze who would be a cheaper alternative to Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Rodrygo, 24. (Talksport), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on just how good Myles Lewis-Skelly could be for Arsenal after he penned a new five-year deal with the club.
Here are some of your comments:
Ali: Lewis-Skelly was a real shining light for Arsenal last season. Injury gave him a chance to push in above Calafiori, Zinchencko, Tierney, Tomiyasu and Timber as the go to left back and there was no looking back. His power and drive are undeniable. Looking forward to seeing what he brings next year. The next Ashley Cole for England and Arsenal? And at least this bumper contract delays any chance of him following those footsteps to Chelsea.
Isaac: This kid is special. A once in a generation talent who has skill, is intellignent with and without the ball, and seems grounded and ready to put in the hard yards to improve. That kind of combo is rare in top sport. Excited to see how far he will go.
AJ: Really good. Lewis-Skelly is one of the best left backs in England.
Jay: I know the big chat is about which striker Arsenal are buying, but it is impossible to underestimate how important this signing is for Arsenal. I have watched Arsenal for over 50 years and in that time, I have seen lots of great left backs and, at his age, Lewis-Skelly is the best of them all. If he learns to control his aggression a little, he could be even better.
Vince: I recall Saka in his even younger days flitting in and out of the team and I wondered if he would ever be given a chance. He was and the rest is history. I felt exactly like that watching Lewis-Skelly in the first half of the season and he took less than a season to be, so far, the first-choice left back not just at Arsenal but England as well. How could this contract be anything but good news?
Simon: He showed up in big games last season. I'm pleased for him and he deserves the opportunity. But I do worry that his current over reliance on shielding in dangerous areas will get exposed. As quality opposition get accustomed to his style this might prove costly, as was the case in that big PSG game last year.
Image source, Getty ImagesLeft-back Myles Lewis-Skelly has signed a new five-year deal with Arsenal.
The 18-year-old's contract was set to expire in 2026.
He made 23 Premier League appearances for Arsenal last season and featured 10 times in the Champions League.
Lewis-Skelly also scored on his senior England debut in March against Albania.
How good could Lewis-Skelly be for Arsenal?
After signing his new five-year contract with Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly told the club's website: "I'm so proud and happy. I know those words are simple, but I think they sum up how I feel signing for this club. I'm a fan and it's like a dream come true.
"I've embodied the values of Hale End and come through. I've still got a lot of years ahead of me, so if I can keep staying humble and being a good person, that's the most important thing to me.
"I know I've taken a lot of experience from the games about the positive moments, the mistakes that I've made. I'm definitely more ready now for the next season. I just want to keep learning and keep improving.
"I want a legacy. I want to win everything there is to win in the game. I want to win trophies on the biggest stages whilst being a person that's always learning and stays grounded, which is so important."
Image source, Getty ImagesChristian Norgaard would be a "very sensible signing" for Arsenal, according to Edu Rubio, former West Ham, Crystal Palace and Wolves coach.
"Norgaard is a modern defensive-anchor player - there's no doubt he can rival Partey, or offer more options to Arteta - offering him more depth in his squad," Rubio said.
"Christian can break up play, intercept, tackle, block and win aerial duels. He can let Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice do their thing while he protects their backs.
"He can also recycle the ball and play forwards effectively. In a league where there are so many transitions, a player who senses danger and has a great ability to regain the ball can be a must-have in your team. His physicality, and the fact it's been tested at the Premier League also makes him a very sensible signing. He can be a great addition to Arsenal."
The Brentford captain would join fellow summer signing Martin Zubimendi in the Arsenal midfield and Rubio says the two could complement each other.
"Norgaard would also fit perfectly with Zubimendi," Rubio said. They can even play together if Arteta opts for two holding players and one 10, instead of one anchor and two number eights.
"Zubimendi is more of a passer and creator. Christian is more a break-up play midfielder who can regain possession, secure possession and stop the opposition from easily breaking into the final third.
"I feel Arteta is making sure he will have enough strength in the midfield area to compete in all four competitions."
Arsenal and Manchester United have been joined by Liverpool in the race to sign Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres. (Correio da Manha - in Portuguese), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on whether Christian Norgaard is what Arsenal need and whether he'd be a good replacement for Thomas Partey if he leaves the club.
Here are some of your comments:
David: Not sure about this move. Feel that we need a more defensive player to take over from Partey and that might not be Norgaard. However, if Zubimedi comes in then I'd be happy to see Norgaard come over.
Andrew: What is the point of getting Norgaard, if Partey cannot be persuaded to stay (who is more versatile)? I thought Zubimendi was all but signed so Norgaard would be a bench warmer anyway. Waste of £10m.
Ed: We've lost Jorginho and will probably lose Partey, so he will be a good backup to have in the squad.
Olly: Norgaard would be a great, cheap Jorginho replacement who would allow us to spend more on a striker.
Michael: They always want it cheap. This is the undoing of this club. Partey has been phenomenal, why not extend his contract? They'd rather go for something less, and ironically want to get greater results. Trophies will elude this team until they begin to do something different!
Mason: I can see what Arteta is trying to do here. He's just lost Jorginho who's 33 and now could be losing Partey who is 32. Norgaard isn't the most exciting player to bring in, but he would be an older member of the squad with plenty of experience and wisdom that the younger players can look up to. You can't always have a squad of young players, it just wouldn't work.
Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport understands that Seville midfielder Lucien Agoume also features prominently on Arsenal's list of targets to replace Thomas Partey.
Crucially, however, it is understood that Mikel Arteta has identified Christian Norgaard as the midfielder he wants because he prefers a Premier League ready player.
Club-to-club discussions over Norgaard have accelerated in the last 24 hours, while it is understood the Denmark international is keen to join Arteta's side.
