Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners release SEVENTEEN players, ‘open talks’ with Sane, Sesko bid imminent
ARSENAL are looking ahead to a busy summer transfer window after another trophyless season - and have released SEVENTEEN players including a couple of senior stars.
The Gunners have opened talks with the camp of Leroy Sane over a potential switch, with the German winger available on a free transfer this summer.
Elsewhere, Arteta and Co are closing in on a new striker, with a big for main target Benjamin Sesko 'imminent,' according to reports.
In other news, Arsenal have once again opened talks with academy star Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is entering the final year of his contract, with Real Madrid looking to acquire him.
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Rice hailed
Arsenal star Declan Rice has been hailed by Premier League legend Steven Gerrard.
I think Declan has been fantastic.
I think he’s developed a lot, he’s adding goals to his game, he’s arriving more in the box, I think at the beginning of his career, people saw him just as a six.
Fantastic passer, good ball-carrier, I think he’s added a lot more to his game now and he’s more of an all-round midfielder, I love watching him.
I think he needs to just keep adding goals and I love the way he’s gone on to the free-kicks and I’d love to see him step forward and start taking penalties because as a midfielder, you want to be that type of guy.
Steven GerrardPartey talks ongoing
Thomas Partey's contract is set to expire at Arsenal but the club have not given up on keeping him.
Having released 16 players the Gunners are continuing discussion over a new contract with the midfielder.
Barcelona have been tipped with an interest in the former Atletico Madrid man.
Credit: Getty BREAKING: Arsenal release SEVENTEEN stars
Arsenal have announced the exits of 17 players after their contracts came to an end.
Stars such as Jorginho and Kieran Tierney have left the first team.
Here is the full list of exits:
- Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
- Reece Clairmont
- Khayon Edwards
- Jakai Fisher
- Romari Forde
- Jimi Gower
- Jack Henry-Francis
- Jorginho
- Max Kuczynski
- Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
- Ismail M’Hand
- Neto
- Brian Okonkwo
- Elian Quesada-Thorn
- Zacariah Shuaib
- Raheem Sterling
- Kieran Tierney
Martinelli's high hopes
Gabriel Martinelli has insisted he is going to give his all to be in the best shap for next season.
I’m going to work hard to make it happen.
I’m going to do my best to get the best possible version of myself at Arsenal.
I hope to help my team with goals, assists & good performances.
Gabriel MartinelliBlues in for Kudus
Chelsea have made a move to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.
The Ghanaian winger has previously been linked to both Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Mail have claimed that the Blues are keen on the star.
The West London side have from July 1 to July 10 which is when his £85million release clause is active.
Pre-season tour
Here is the schedule for Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia where they will face the likes of AC Milan and Tottenham
- Wednesday, July 23: Arsenal vs AC Milan - Singapore National Stadium, Singapore (12:30pm BST)
- Sunday, July 27: Arsenal vs Newcastle - Singapore National Stadium, Singapore (12:30pm BST)
- Thursday, July 31: Arsenal vs Tottenham - Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong (12:30pm BST)
Arsenal warned
Arsenal have been warned off making a move for RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
The top people at clubs, if it’s not their money they don’t care, they will spend it. If the money was coming out of their bank account they would be more careful and cautious.
That’s crazy [RB Leipzig’s valuation for Sesko]. You have so many examples of clubs who have spent big money on players from smaller clubs.
Sesko plays for Leipzig, they are a family club and Arsenal are going to launch him into the Premier League?
What is the guarantee you have that Sesko is going to produce? And you’re going to spend 80m euros on him? Look at Jadon Sancho, Darwin Nunez and so many others
Frank LebouefArteta to walk?
John Obi Mikel has claimed that Mikel Arteta could leave Arsenal if he has another trophyless season.
Is [Arteta] the guy to take them to the next level? I think he has built a really, really good team there.
They’re solid, they’re playing well, the defence is good, the midfield is good. I think he has built a solid team, but is he the guy to take them to the next level?
The next level is winning the Premier League and winning the Champions League – sometimes I do think a fresh voice is needed. Now he has been there for five or six years, I give him one more year.
Give him next season, [but] if he doesn’t do it, I think for his sake it is better to just walk.
Then he is not the guy to be able to do it. Get someone new, get someone fresh.
John Obi Mikel
Credit: Alamy Garcia gone
Arsenal have missed out on goalkeeper target Joan Garcia.
The stopper has reportedly agreed to join Barcelona in a £21million deal from Espanyol.
Credit: Getty
Zubimendi talks
Martin Zubimendi has discussed his future and suggested that move to Arsenal is not cut and dry as he could be tempted by Real Madrid.
He told said: "My future? It will be a long summer. I don't know how it will end.
"If Xabi Alonso calls me to join Real Madrid? I've always said Xabi is my idol, and it was a privilege to have him as my coach at La Real B.
"If he called me now? I don't want to talk about that hypothesis, I'd rather talk about the present.
"It would be disrespectful to talk about that while I'm on national team duty.
"I posted pics on a Spanish beach while rumours said I'm in London doing medical exams for Arsenal?
"Yes, I did that to make it clear those rumours were NOT true."
Williams contract
Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams.
The winger has been a long-term target for the Gunners since his exploits at Euro 2024.
However he is now reportedly negotiating a new contract in the Basque country.
This means that his £48million release clause could be raised significantly.
Rice nabs accolade
Declan Rice has been named in the Champions League Team of the Tournament.
The midfielder played a crucial role as the Gunners reached the semi-finals of the competition.
He was named in the team alongside the likes of PSG stars Gianluigi Donnarumma and Desire Doue as well as Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
12 Gunners on international duty
Arsenal will have 12 players out on international duty this month, with two stars eyeing silverware.
Mikel Merino and David Raya will be looking to help Spain successfully defend their Nations League title after lifting the trophy in 2023.
10 other stars will feature in 2026 World Cup qualifiers or friendlies.
Here is the full list of Gunners on international duty this month:
- Raya (Spain)
- Merino (Spain)
- Tierney (Scotland)
- Trossard (Belgium)
- Kiwior (Poland)
- Rice (England)
- Lewis-Skelly (England)
- Saka (England)
- Zinchenko (Ukraine)
- Odegaard (Norway)
- Martinelli (Brazil)
- Hein (Estonia)
Arsenal pre-season fixtures
As things stand, Arsenal kickstart their pre-season with a tour around Asia, where they will take on a European giant, followed by some familiar faces:
- Wednesday, July 23: Arsenal vs AC Milan – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore (12:30pm BST)
- Sunday, July 27: Arsenal vs Newcastle – Singapore National Stadium, Singapore (12:30pm BST)
- Thursday, July 31: Arsenal vs Tottenham – Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong (12:30pm BST)
Rodrygo talks
Arsenal target Rodrygo is reportedly wanting talks with Real Madrid over his future.
The Brazilian is aware of interest from Arsenal as well as Chelsea and Man City.
However, before he makes a final decision he wants to speak to new manager Xabi Alonso before making a final decision.
Credit: Getty
Gyokeres response
Manchester United target Viktor Gyokeres was asked if he was joining Arsenal by Norway team-mate Leo Ostigard.
The in-demand striker kept his cards close to his chest as he did not let anything slip.
Ostigard asked: "Where are you going in the summer transfer window?
"Can you give us a hint? Is it Arsenal? What are the alternatives?"
To which the striker said: "We will see. Nobody knows anything yet.
"I wish I had a more fun answer, but that's all I can say for now."
Ostigard clearly has his preference for Gyokeres as he ended the call.
He added: "Viktor, great talking to you. See you soon, and text me when everything is signed and sorted down in Arsenal."
Gunner miss him
Arsenal target Victor Osimhen could be set for a big money move to Saudi Arabia.
The Napoli striker spent last season on loan at Galatasaray in Turkey and scored 26 league goals.
But he could now be a top target for Al-Hilal after the club missed out on Bruno Fernandes.
The Saudi side will be able to offer the prolific striker a bigger contract as Fernandes will not be joining.
The development would be a blow to the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea who have all previously been linked with Osimhen.
Credit: Getty Cesc set for Inter
Arsenal legend is set for a major job in European football.
The Spaniard has impressed at Serie A side Como but is reportedly set to jump up to the Champions League level.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that he is set to be confirmed as the new manager of Inter Milan.
Previous manager Simone Inzaghi left the club for Saudi outfit Al-Hilal.
It is suggested that the Nerazzurri have asked to speak to Fabregas and present their project to convince him to join.
Gunners on international duty
Arsenal will have 12 players out on international duty this month, with two stars eyeing silverware.
Mikel Merino and David Raya will be looking to help Spain successfully defend their Nations League title after lifting the trophy in 2023.
Ten other stars will feature in 2026 World Cup qualifiers or friendlies.
Here is the full list of Gunners on international duty this month
- David Raya (Spain)
- Mikel Merino (Spain)
- Kieran Tierney (Scotland)
- Leandro Trossard (Belgium)
- Jakub Kiwior (Poland)
- Declan Rice (England)
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (England)
- Bukayo Saka (England)
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine)
- Martin Odegaard (Norway)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)
- Karl Hein (Estonia)
Luis Enrique rejections
A number of British clubs had the opportunity to sign Luis Enrique before taking over at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won every title including the Champions League.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all shortlisted Enrique after he left his role with Spain in 2023 but all three decided against hiring him.
Tottenham were the most serious contenders, prior to opting for Ange Postecoglou but it is believed chairman Daniel Levy backed off over a concern that the Spaniard's spiky temperament made him too similar to former boss Antonio Conte.
Three other clubs in the EFL also moved for the 55-year-old and offered him a managerial role - Swansea, Leeds and Aston Villa all wanted him, per the BBC's .
And even Arsenal were given a tip-off about the ex-Barcelona boss - by ex-manager Unai Emery.
But the Gunners decided to go another way, with fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta still in charge.
New MLS contract
Arsenal are confident Myles Lewis-Skelly will sign a new, long-term deal this summer.
Lewis-Skelly signed his first senior contract with the Gunners back in October 2023.
That expires next summer and Real Madrid are monitoring Lewis-Skelly's situation.
But SunSport understand the North Londoners are calm over talks, which began in January, and hope to finalise the terms of his new bumper deal before pre-season begins next month.
New sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be taking a hands-on approach regarding contract extensions.
Arsenal pre-season fixtures
As things stand, Arsenal kickstart their pre-season with a tour around Asia, where they will take on a European giant, followed by some familiar faces:
- Wednesday, July 23: Arsenal vs AC Milan - Singapore National Stadium, Singapore (12:30pm BST)
- Sunday, July 27: Arsenal vs Newcastle - Singapore National Stadium, Singapore (12:30pm BST)
- Thursday, July 31: Arsenal vs Tottenham - Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong (12:30pm BST)
Wilshere linked with Plymouth
Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere is a frontrunner to land the Plymouth Argyle job.
Wilshere who was caretaker boss at Norwich for the final two games of the season, is set to have talks with Plymouth this summer.
The Pilgrims are looking for a new manager after Miron Muslic' left to join Schalke.'s acrimonious departure for Schalke.
The 32-year-old coach is likely to take the job if it is offered by Plymouth, who suffered relegation to League One despite an upturn in results under Muslic.
Raya's Arsenal career change
David Raya has opened up on the lowest point of his Arsenal career in an honest interview with ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster.
It was a turning point against Luton. That game was one of the worst games I ever played and that's where I hit rock bottom.
From there, the only way was up with changing my habits and trying to change my mindset.
From that game, I said, 'Listen, this is not me'. I think there's been a massive change from there.
I met with the goalie coach after the game at the training round and we were there for two hours, talking about things that we could change.
He helped me a lot in that situation and he just believed in me. We had to change things.
[I was] working with him, working with a sports psychologist and relying on my missus and my family to try to help me as much as possible. That's when I started feeling better.
David RayaViktor Gyokeres alternative
Brighton star Joao Pedro poses as a transfer target for Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.
Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres poses as a priority for the Gunners.
RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko is also a major target for the North Londoners.
But if Arsenal can't sign either target then it is very likely they will turn their sights on Pedro.
