Despite selling Mattéo Guendouzi to Olympique Marseille and Lucas Torreira to Galatasaray while loaning out Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Southampton and Sambi Lokonga to Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta isn’t short of midfielders with Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny at his disposal.

Arsenal might need another central player, however, as Jorginho is in the eve of his career while Elneny has been short of playing time this season due to injury. Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness says Morten Hjulmand would jump at the chance to join them if they were interested.

The 23-year-old joined US Lecce in 2021 and has gone on to make 81 appearances in all competitions, notching nine assists. Hjulmand is Lecce’s captain and has been indispensable under Marco Baroni, but his future is uncertain as his contract is up next year.

The Danish youth international, who’s been called up to the senior squad without making an appearance, may not extend his stay at the Stadio Ettore Giardiniero due to all the interest in his signature. A €13m (£11.5m) offer from Southampton was knocked back in January, so there’s sure to be a bidding war.

Stiff competition from Premier League

Gazzetta dello Sport say Southampton, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund while TEAMtalk name West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion as potential suitors, so Hjulmand has plenty of options if he wants to move on from Lecce. Arsenal might lead the race if they’re interested, however, as the 23-year-old reportedly has a Gunners tattoo on his body.

Football Talk recently covered a story from The Athletic that suggested Arsenal had Jude Bellingham as their No.1 target, but the Gunners acknowledge they can’t financially compete with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City. Arsenal might have to turn their attentions to more realistic options, so Hjulmand would be more affordable with a €20m (£17.5m) asking price.

Arsenal signed Jorginho from Chelsea in January to add depth to their midfield, but according to a report from Mario Cortegana and David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Gunners may still be looking to strengthen in the summer. The article states that Arsenal are admirers of Jude Bellingham, but they don’t have the finances to sign the £132m-rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder. This comes after Mattéo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, and Sambi Lokonga all left the club in the last two transfer windows, leaving Mikel Arteta with just one replacement. Bellingham is considered one of the best young players in Europe and has scored 20 goals with 24 assists in 119 appearances for Dortmund. He would be fifth in the Arsenal squad for goals and assists, but first for tackles, interceptions, and successful dribbles per game. Despite bringing in Jorginho, the Gunners may still need to add another midfielder to their squad.
In January, Arsenal signed Jorginho from Chelsea to add more depth to their midfield; however, according to a recent report from Mario Cortegana and David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Gunners may still be looking for additional reinforcements in the summer. The report states that Arsenal have their eyes on the £132m-rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder, Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham is a highly rated player and has achieved some impressive numbers in his time at Dortmund, scoring 20 goals with 24 assists in 119 appearances. He is also first in the Arsenal squad for tackles, interceptions, and successful dribbles per game.

While Jorginho was a great pickup in January, Arsenal do not have the finances to sign Bellingham and might have to look for cheaper alternatives this summer if they are to add another midfielder to the team. This is especially true in light of the recent departures of Mattéo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, and Sambi Lokonga, leaving Mikel Arteta with only one replacement.

For Arsenal to make a statement in Europe next season, they must look to strengthen their midfield options. While it may be difficult to secure the signature of Bellingham due to his high asking price, there could be some viable alternatives in the transfer market.

It appears that Bukayo Saka is close to signing a new contract with Arsenal worth £10 million a year, despite interest from Manchester City. According to the Daily Mail, progress has been made in keeping the England international at the Emirates Stadium. Saka has been a key player for Arsenal in recent years and could have been a great addition to Man City, who may soon need to find a replacement for Riyad Mahrez. Arsenal supporters will be delighted that Saka is likely to stay, following Gabriel Martinelli’s recent contract extension. Ben Jacobs reported for CaughtOffside that Saka has a strong relationship with Arteta and is keen to remain at the club. Jacobs said that Saka loves Arsenal, believes in the project, and is an important part of the team, so it is now just a matter of the two parties coming to an agreement.
It appears that Arsenal have taken a major step in keeping their key player, Bukayo Saka, a player who has been a revelation for the club in the last few years.

With Manchester City in the race to acquire the 19-year-old England international, Arsenal supporters can now rest easy knowing that progress has been made in the negotiations between their beloved team and their rising star.

The Daily Mail reports that the new contract, which could see Saka earn as much as £10 million a year, is close to being agreed upon, with the only remaining issue being a few minor details.

Saka is seen by many as the club’s brightest prospect, with teammate Gabriel Martinelli signing a new long-term contract recently, a move which will provide great comfort to Arsenal fans, easing the potential worry of losing the Englishman.

Ben Jacobs for CaughtOffside suggested that Saka and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta have a strong relationship and that the player would love to remain at the Emirates Stadium.

The article mentioned that Saka is an integral part of Arsenal’s plans and they will be keen to tie him down to a new deal as soon as possible.

All in all, Bukayo Saka looks set to remain an Arsenal player in the coming years and the club’s fans will be delighted with the news that their star man could soon put pen to paper on a long-term contract worth £10 million a year.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Arsenal have already expressed their interest in acquiring Atalanta’s Rasmus Højlund. The 20-year-old has had a successful debut season, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists in 21 games, 7 of which have come in 2021. The Gunners have been reported to have scouted the Dane against Lazio and are now looking to sign him ahead of next season. However, they could face competition from Real Madrid, who are looking to target Højlund if they fail to acquire Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus. Atalanta have set an asking price of £44 million for the talented striker.
Arsenal have reportedly expressed their interest in Atalanta’s Rasmus Højlund as the 20-year-old looks set for a move away from the Italian side this summer.

Højlund has been in great form this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists in 21 games, with 7 of those coming this calendar year. It has been reported that the Gunners have scouted the Dane, who featured against Lazio during the last campaign, and are now looking to sign him ahead of the 2021/22 season.

However, they may face competition from Real Madrid asSport has reported that Los Blancos are also interested in Højlund, but only if they fail to acquire Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus.

Atalanta have put a hefty £44 million asking price on their young striker, which could prove to be a deciding factor in which side signs him at the end of the season.

Arsenal have a long tradition of signing young, talented players, and with the prospect of Højlund becoming a star for years to come, this could be a signing which could prove to be a big step in the right direction for the club.

Arsenal are looking to secure a new contract with Granit Xhaka, the Swiss international midfielder. The 30-year-old has a deal with the London club until 2024 and the Gunners are keen to reward him for his improved performances this season. Xhaka has been a key player for Arsenal and has 4 goals and 5 assists to his name across all competitions. The midfielder has managed to turn his career around at the London club after being linked with a move away in 2019. Talks have already been held between the two parties and manager Mikel Arteta has given his approval. It remains to be seen if the two parties can come to an agreement in the coming months, but Arsenal should look to keep hold of Xhaka as he is a quality player and a leader in the dressing room.
Arsenal Football Club are in negotiations and looking to secure a new contract with their midfielder, Granit Xhaka. The Swiss international is currently under contract with the London club for 2024, but the Gunners are reportedly keen to reward him for his recent improved performances and extend his stay at the Emirates.

Xhaka has earned a crucial role in Mikel Arteta’s team, making 52 appearances in all competitions this season and contributing to 4 goals and 5 assists. Since signing for the North London outfit in 2016, the 30-year-old has shown remarkable persistence and loyalty and has been integral in Arsenal’s journey to success.

The Swiss midfielder has been able to restore his reputation with his performances on the pitch and has enjoyed a spectacular turnaround in his professional career. Last year, Xhaka was linked with a move away from the club, however, it would be a mistake on Arsenal’s part to let him go now.

Not only is the former Borussia Mönchengladbach player known for his technical quality on the ball and precise passing, he has also assumed a captain-like role in the dressing room. Proving himself a reliable leader, Xhaka’s leadership could be beneficial to the club going forward.

Talks have already commenced between Xhaka and the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta’s approval. It remains to be seen if the two parties can come to an agreement in the coming months, but Arsenal should look to keep hold of the Swiss star as he is a quality player and an influential figure in the dressing room.