Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mikel Merino AGREED, Fabio Vieira exit latest, Eddie Nketiah TWIST – updates…

ARSENAL are closing in on the signing of Mikel Merino with a £28m deal now AGREED with Real Sociedad, according to reports.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest are amongst Premier League clubs reportedly interested in forward Eddie Nketiah.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have rejected an approach from Ajax to sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to reports.

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Arsenal lineup vs Wolves
Here’s Arsenal’s lineup for today’s fixture against Wolves.

 

Merino talks near conclusion
Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal and Real Sociedad are in the final stage of negotiations for Mikel Merino.

A fee is nearly agreed and Arsenal expect business to be concluded soon.

 

Arteta confirms Timber will be in squad
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jurien Timber will be in the squad tomorrow to face Wolves.

He said: “Jurrien Timber will be in the squad tomorrow. Obviously he had a really tough period but he used it in a great way I think because he’s managed to get a lot of things done & improved in many areas except playing.

“He found it really helpful & now he’s ready.”

 

Sagoe Jr joins League One club on loan
Charles Sagoe Jr has joined Shrewsbury Town on a season long loan.

He’s also signed a new contract with the Gunners before departing.

 

Arteta says players believe they will win the title
Mikel Arteta has said that his team are determined to win the league title this year.

Ahead of the Wolves game, he said: “On the last day [of last season], we had a gathering together with all the club players & they were coming to me & saying, ‘We are going to do it next year, we are going to be better, we want more’.”

“When you see that, you accept they’re the ones driving that ambition so that’s always possible. It was the same evening [the players turned to this season].”

“Everyone was talking about the same thing, how they weren’t going to stop there & how they wanted much more. We know the things that we can do to get better.”

“There are moments when you have to accept that somebody else has been better, that’s sport. We want to get to where they are at the moment & that’s really inspiring.”

 

Merino close
Arsenal are close to signing Mikel Merino, according to reports.

Things such as issues over payment structure still remain but a deal is now very near.

 

Vieira available for loan
Midfielder Fabio Vieira will be available for loan this summer according to reports.

The midfielder has struggled to settle in at the Gunners since his move from Porto and has found playing time limited.

Getting his wages off the books could help bring players in.

 

Arsenal vs Wolves team news
Riccardo Calafiori is likely to start on the bench ahead of his debut, following the dominance of William Saliba and Gabriel last season.

Fabio Vieira is a doubt for the hosts, who are without Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to injuries.

Arsenal’s starting line-up will be much the same as the one deployed last season, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz competing to start up front.

But Thomas Partey will likely get the nod ahead of Jorginho in midfield.

Elsewhere, O’Neil will be delighted with the news that striker Cunha has shaken off his hamstring issues ahead of this huge opening clash.

New forward signing Jorgen Strand Larsen is set to make his debut after Neto joined Chelsea this week.

Gunners in action TODAY
Title-chasing Arsenal kick-start their Premier League season against Wolves at the Emirates today.

The Gunners know a fast start is vital to putting pressure on defending champs Manchester City – who they play next month in what is a tough opening to the 2024/2025 campaign.

Can they launch a third offensive for the Premier League trophy or will they finish second fiddle again? That’s the question on everybody’s lips.

The big match kicks off at 3pm this afternoon.

We can’t wait!

 

Credit: Getty
Arteta on hunger
Mikel Arteta has spoken of his players’ hunger going into the new season after missing out on the Premier League title in May.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference before facing Wolves, he explained: “On the last day [of the season], we had a gathering together with all the club players and they were coming to me and saying: ‘we are going to do it next year, we are going to be better, we want more.’

“And when you see that you accept they’re the ones driving that ambition so that’s always possible.”

 

Credit: Getty
Sagoe Jr loan
Charles Sagoe Jr has joined Shrewsbury on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

The 20-year-old winger has also signed a new contract with the Gunners.

Sagoe Jr previously spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Swansea, making two appearances.

He made his senior Arsenal debut against Brentford in the Carabao Cup in September 2023.

Merino fee revealed
The transfer fee expected to bring Mikel Merino to Arsenal has been revealed.

According to The Times, the Gunners are working to finalise a £29.8million deal with Real Sociedad.

Merino has been Arsenal’s priority midfield target throughout the summer.

He would be Mikel Arteta’s third summer signing after David Raya’s loan was made permanent and Riccardo Calafiori arrived from Bologna.

Arsenal 24/25 fixtures
Arsenal have a tricky start to the season

Arsenal have a tricky start to the season
Arsenal vs Wolves team news
Arsenal will have a fully fit Jurrien Timber in their squad to face Wolves on Saturday.

The Dutch defender, who missed almost all of last season, has recovered from a foot injury suffered in pre-season.

Riccardo Calafiori could also make his debut, with Fabio Vieira fit to feature despite Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney being sidelined.

As for the visitors, Wolves are without the suspended Nelson Semedo as he begins a three-match ban.

Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha, Mario Lemina and recent arrival Jorgen Strand Larsen are expected to be available after recent fitness concerns.

Arteta backs youngsters
Mikel Arteta has backed Arsenal academy trio Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ayden Heaven and Ethan Nwaneri to establish themselves this season.

The youngsters have starred for the Gunners in pre-season and Arteta hopes they will be involved in his first-team squad.

Asked if they were ready to step up, he said: “Yes, for sure and as well we have Jurrien who we didn’t have last year for 10 months so that’s another one.

“Myles has played a lot of minutes, Ethan as well, Ayden as well in pre-season.

“It’s given us a big platform for them to understand how good they are and the options that we have in the squad right now and they’ll certainly be training with us.”

Merino talks
Arsenal and Real Sociedad remain in negotiations for Mikel Merino, Fabrizio Romano reports.

The discussions are now at their final stages after the Gunners advanced talks in recent weeks.

A fee is now close to being agreed, the report adds, as the two clubs work on the payment structure.

 

Credit: Getty
Arteta on Merino
Mikel Arteta refused to give away any details when asked about Mikel Merino in his pre-match press conference.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Wolves, he was asked: “Does Mikel like Mikel (Merino)?”

The Gunners boss replied: “You known I cannot talk about any other player.”

Arsenal close in
Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.

According to The Times, the Gunners are set to strike an agreement for the £29.8million signing of the Spain international.

Merino was a key man for his country at Euro 2024, scoring the winner against hosts Germany in the last eight.

Arsenal Premier League fixture list
Here’s Arsenal’s full Premier League schedule:

Arsenal have a tricky start to the season

Arsenal have a tricky start to the season
Arsenal vs Wolves team news
Arsenal’s Premier League season kicks off on Saturday when they take on Wolves at the Emirates.

The Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta is likely to start Riccardo Calafiori on the bench and Fabio Vieira poses as a doubt.

Arteta will be without Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to injuries.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, on the other hand, will welcome Matheus Cunha back from a hamstring injury.

And summer signing Jorgen Strand Larsen is set to make his debut after Pedro Neto joined Chelsea.

2024 summer transfer deadline
The summer transfer window officially opened on Friday, June 14.

For clubs in the English leagues, the window will close on Friday, August 30 at 11pm BST.

Last summer, the window shut at 11pm on September 1 – that means this year it will close two days earlier than 2023.

No players signed after noon on deadline day will be eligible to play that weekend’s Premier League fixture.

Mikel Arteta on transfers
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained coy about the club’s summer transfer activity.

Arteta insists his priority has always been to develop his current players.

The Spanish tactician didn’t discuss any future arrivals before transfer deadline day.

I already said at the beginning that the main focus is to improve our players and find margins that help them find a level that they probably hadn’t even dreamed about.

Mikel Arteta

 

Credit: Getty
Arteta on striker search
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists he is “really pleased” with his attacking line.

Several reports suggested the Gunners are looking for a new striker during the summer transfer window.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen have been linked.

We have great strikers already, we have a great attacking line and I’m really pleased with it.

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal vs Wolves warning
Arsenal legend Lauren insists winning against Wolves on Saturday is important for the confidence.

The Invincible told bettingexpert.com:

You have to start the season with a win. Always. Winning the first game gives belief and confidence so then you’re looking forward to the next game.

It’s very important to get the three points against Wolves.

It’s important to start and finish the season well. Always, during the season teams will have some kind of difficulties but you have to start and finish well.

Lauren

Major Prem rule change
A strict rule change to set-pieces is going to be introduced in the Premier League this coming season.

Officials will clamp down on players’ attempts to impede opponents during free-kicks as well as corners.

Arsenal benefited hugely from set-pieces last season, scoring the most goals from them excluding penalties (22) and the most from corner-kicks (16).

They also conceded the second-fewest number of set-piece goals excluding penalties (six) last term.

The Gunners achieved the feat by obstructing or blocking opponents, including the goalkeeper.

However, the North Londoners will not be able to do anything like that this time around.

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