Guimaraes to Arsenal takes a big step forward
Bruno Guimaraes wants the move. That is the story this morning. Arsenal have been given a green light by the Newcastle midfielder and are now preparing a fresh bid, this time around £80m, after an opening offer was turned down (2) (3). City are ruled out of the race, which clears the path for your club to get this done (2). No agreement yet, but the player's willingness changes everything.
Saliba's back issue, nothing serious
William Saliba sat out France's World Cup match against Norway with a back problem, but the injury is not believed to be serious (4). Deschamps started Maxence Lacroix in his place alongside Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise (4). With the knockout rounds approaching, France will want Saliba fully fit. No reason to panic yet.
Ødegaard could leave
Mick Brown, a former scout with deep contacts, dropped a line that will rattle you: "It's possible that he could leave." He is talking about Martin Ødegaard (5). The reasoning points to Ødegaard's connection with Saka fading as a defining weapon last season, and Arsenal exploring four marquee attacking signings, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Sandro Tonali among them (5). Nothing is decided. But the captain's future is now a live question.
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Trossard brace sends Belgium through
Leandro Trossard scored twice as Belgium beat New Zealand 5–1 on Friday night to reach the World Cup knockout stages (6). De Bruyne and Lukaku were also on the scoresheet, but it was Trossard's performance that raises an awkward question: does he still have a future at Arsenal amid all the summer attacking targets, or is this his shop window (6)?
Gyökeres interest, Bartishvili no deal
Several major European clubs have contacted Arsenal regarding Viktor Gyökeres (1). Details are thin, but the calls are coming in. Meanwhile, Georgian prospect Andria Bartishvili has appeared to confirm no pre-contract agreement with Arsenal has been reached yet (7).
Xhaka to Chelsea, Nwaneri's brother out, and a Mexican teen
Granit Xhaka has agreed personal terms with Chelsea (8). The former Arsenal captain now needs the clubs to settle on a fee, with Sunderland also in the picture (8). Closer to home, Emerson Nwaneri, Ethan's younger brother, looks set to leave the academy this summer despite efforts to keep him (10). And at the World Cup, Arsenal are tracking Gilberto Mora, a 17-year-old Mexican from Club Tijuana, the youngest player at the tournament (9).
Fan-reaktioner
The mood is more about what is happening behind the scenes than on the pitch. Performance coach Sam Wilson is leaving by his own decision, and fans are reading it as part of a wider backroom reshuffle that does not sit right during a rebuild this delicate. Over at the World Cup, Saka's corner assist for Bellingham against Panama sparked a cheer, though Declan Rice starting on the bench did not. Read the full discussion here.
