Vinicius Junior stays at Real Madrid, Arsenal must pivot
Your top summer target is off the table. Vinicius Junior has extended his contract at Real Madrid, and Arsenal are now searching for alternatives to upgrade the attack (1) (2). Two names are already circulating: Ajax winger Mika Godts, who PSG have also bid for, and Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz (1) (9). Igor Tudor called Yildiz a "golden boy" with "pace and ideas, as well as a great mentality" (9). Everton's Iliman Ndiaye has also been linked, though former Everton scout Bryan King says his old club should start the bidding at £100m (11).
Bruno Guimaraes deal held up by paperwork
Bruno Guimaraes is already training with the squad. The £75m move from Newcastle is done in everything but the announcement, delayed by administrative issues (5). A feature celebrating Arsenal's greatest Brazilian XI has already been compiled ahead of his arrival (8).
Gabriel Jesus could be on his way out
Arsenal are preparing to sell Gabriel Jesus and are watching Shakhtar Donetsk striker Kaua Elias as a potential replacement (7). Jesus is open to a Serie A move, with his agent meeting Napoli this week (fan post). Any Napoli bid likely depends on Lukaku leaving first.
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Tzolis hits the ground running
New signing Christos Tzolis has a goal and an assist in his first weeks at the club, with early comparisons to Alexis Sánchez (10). His sharp start internally could push Gabriel Martinelli down the pecking order.
Monga: "I was very close to Arsenal"
Jeremy Monga has revealed how near he came to joining Arsenal before choosing Manchester City. "It was very close to me going there, very close," the young England international said (3).
Pio Esposito leaning toward Inter stay
Arsenal and Manchester United are both monitoring Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito, but the 20-year-old is edging closer to a new contract at the San Siro (13) (16). A snub looks likely.
Barcola interest, PSG hold firm
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Bradley Barcola, with one report suggesting they could hijack Liverpool's move (12). PSG have now stated their position on the winger, though details remain thin (15).
Calafiori: World Cup pain was too much
Riccardo Calafiori could not bring himself to watch World Cup matches after Italy failed to qualify. "I have so much pain in my tummy not to qualify," he said. "Even if you don't want to watch the World Cup, it's that big that everywhere you go you still see it on TV" (6).
Dortmund visit the Emirates
Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates, the first home match since being crowned Premier League champions (4).
Fan reactions
The Gabriel Jesus exit rumors are dominating the subreddit, with Fabrizio Romano's update about his agent meeting Napoli sparking debate about the right asking price. Meanwhile, a lighthearted post spotted Coventry City's team bus arriving ahead of the August 21 opener, nudging the mood toward the season ahead. One nostalgic thread celebrated Jeff Reine-Adélaïde's return from 362 days out, though his comeback lasted just one game before another injury.
