Rashford door swings open
Marcus Rashford could be an Arsenal player this summer, and the deal is picking up speed. Barcelona have decided not to activate their purchase option on the Manchester United forward, which leaves Arsenal as the frontrunners for his signature (5). Mikel Arteta has already given his approval, and there's talk of a swap deal between the two clubs that could make the numbers work (2). With the window open and Rashford's future up in the air, this one has real legs.
Petit: Madueke isn't good enough
Emmanuel Petit has never been one to hold back, and his latest verdict is brutal. The former Arsenal man says Noni Madueke "isn't good enough" and needs to be replaced. "For me the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. I don't know about Viktor Gyokeres because he just came into the club. Leandro Trossard, I would keep him. But Noni Madueke, for me, isn't good enough, I'm sorry to say that, but he must do much more than that to improve," Petit said. His conclusion: Arsenal "definitely need wingers and probably one striker with pace, technical skills, great movement" (7).
Morgan Rogers: £80m and a queue forming
Arsenal want Morgan Rogers, but so does half the league. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all in the race for the Aston Villa attacker, who is rated at around £80m (1). Versatile across the front line and coming off a strong season, Rogers fits the profile Arteta likes. Whether Arsenal are willing to go that high in a summer where multiple attacking targets are in play is the question.
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Trossard to Beşiktaş? Gap is €3m
Beşiktaş want Leandro Trossard and have tabled €15m. Arsenal want €18m. That's the gap, and for €3m you'd expect this one to get resolved one way or another fairly quickly (4). Petit says keep him (7), but if the Turkish club meets the asking price, Trossard could be the first attacker out the door this summer.
Chelsea join the Arda Guler chase
Arsenal's interest in Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler has cooled a little, but Chelsea are now sniffing around too (6). The young Turkish international hasn't broken through consistently at the Bernabeu, and both London clubs see an opportunity. For now, this one sits on the back burner.
Caitlin Foord signs on
Arsenal Women have tied down Caitlin Foord to a contract extension, keeping one of the squad's key attackers at the club (3). No fuss, just good business. The Australian forward remains a central part of the project.
Fan reactions
The Leah Williamson interview doing the rounds on both /r/soccer and /r/Gunners has fans feeling proud. The Lioness and Arsenal captain spoke about her deep connection to the club, and supporters are calling it a must-watch. Over on /r/Gunners, the off-season silliness is in full swing, with one thread ranking the club's biggest 'glazers', Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Frank getting dishonourable mentions, which tells you the fanbase is in that restless summer mood where transfer news can't come fast enough. Read the Williamson thread
