Lautaro Martinez is back on the radar of Arsenal, who are aiming to sign two strikers this summer, while Kalvin Phillips will not find out his Leeds United future until June, according to Tuesday’s transfer gossip.
LAUTARO MARTINEZ ONE OF THREE STRIKERS ON ARSENAL RADAR
Arsenal are up against Manchester United and Atletico Madrid for the signature of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
That’s according to The Times, who claim that Arsenal are getting more confident as a return to Champions League level approaches.
They will need to sign a striker regardless of where they finish. In fact, The Times suggest Mikel Arteta wants to make two additions in the position.
That would make sense, given that they lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the winter and should see Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah quit this summer.
Replacements will have to be sourced, and The Times say Martinez is one of the names on their shortlist. Others include Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton and Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City.
Martinez has been of interest to Arsenal for a while, but they now feel their improved hopes of playing in the Champions League next season give them a better chance than ever.
The Argentina international could leave Inter Milan this summer so they can invest elsewhere. He has scored 17 goals from 32 Serie A games for them this season.
Arsenal have consequently identified him as someone who could represent the future of their attack. However, to get the 24-year-old, they will have to be more convincing that Man Utd or Atletico.
The report confirms recent claims that Man Utd would be willing to put Anthony Martial on the table in a swap offer for Martinez.
Incidentally, previous claims have cast doubt on whether Martinez would accept Arsenal or Atletico as a next destination. However, the Gunners seem to think a top-four finish can help their pitch.
They currently have a two-point cushion over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur – whom they still have to face – in the final Champions League berth.
LEEDS MAKE KALVIN PHILLIPS WAIT
Kalvin Phillips will not find out until June if Leeds United will offer him a new contract, according to the Daily Star.
Phillips established himself as a key component of the England national team at Euro 2020 last summer, following a successful debut campaign at Premier League level.
It only confirmed what Leeds already knew about his ability after years of seeing it in the Championship.
But now there are fears they could return to the second tier next season. If Everton win their game in hand over Leeds, Phillips’ boyhood club would fall into the relegation zone.
With their top-flight future at risk, the Star are reporting that owner Andrea Radrizzani is delaying talks with Phillips over a new deal until June.
As such, the midfielder – who has been linked with the likes of Manchester United – will not yet get to see if he will earn the £100,000-per-week package he is hoping for.
His current contract runs until 2024, so he would want a wage increase to extend it. But Leeds’ capability of meeting that requirement depends on their Premier League status.
Indeed, the report says they would have ‘no choice’ but to sell him if they are relegated.
FORGOTTEN NEWCASTLE MAN SET TO SIGN UP
Paul Dummett has decided to stay at Newcastle United on a new contract rather than walk away as a free agent.
The Sun are reporting that the left-back will put pen to paper on a new deal in the coming weeks. He was due to be out of contract in the summer.
After an injury-hit campaign with limited appearances, Dummett may have been tempted elsewhere. However, head coach Eddie Howe wanted him to stay.
And Dummett could now follow the lead of fellow defender Fabian Schar, who recently extended his own contract at St James’ Park.
At the age of 30, it is not yet clear how long an extension for Dummett may last. But it would be a good sign of what their academy has been able to produce for the long-term.
The same could go for 24-year-old Sean Longstaff. The report confirms the midfielder is also in talks to extend a deal that runs out in the summer.