Arsenal want a summer clear-out followed by four exciting new signings, while Real Madrid are eyeing up a Manchester City raid – both in all the latest Transfer Gossip.
SUMMER CLEAR-OUT AT ARSENAL
Arsenal want to make as much as £60million by selling as many as seven first-team players ahead of a summer spending spree, according to a report.
The Gunners are reflecting on what could have been after just missing out on a place in next season’s Champions League. They led Tottenham for most of the way – until a 3-0 defeat to Spurs saw their season unravel.
Nevertheless, hopes at the Emirates Stadium remain high of Europa League success and another top-four push.
In fact, The Sun now reports that Arsenal are planning a major overhaul of their squad.
While Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both leaving as free agents, the Gunners are plotting seven further exits.
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Matteo Guendouzi will hand Arsenal £12.5million by signing for Marseille and Stuttgart, respectively.
However, boss Mikel Arteta is also willing to let Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Pablo Mari and Hector Bellerin leave.
Torreira had a permanent move to Fiorentina within his grasp until talks fell through. Goalkeeper Leno, meanwhile, is supposedly a Porto target.
As for who Arsenal could subsequently add to their squad, The Sun adds that they plan to spend as much as £150million on two strikers, a full-back and a midfielder. Roma’s Tammy Abraham and Youri Tielemans of Leicester are key targets.
New goalscorers are the top priority amid the impending departures of Nketiah and Lacazette. Meanwhile, midfield is also a concern with Mohamed Elneny’s future uncertain despite a recent one-year extension.
Arsenal were one of the biggest spenders last summer. They added £50million centre-back Ben White as one of their major signings and are looking to invest heavily again.
REAL MADRID EYE RAHEEM STERLING
Real Madrid are plotting a £50million raid on Manchester City for winger Raheem Sterling, a report has claimed.
The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his Etihad Stadium deal after winning another Premier League title on Sunday.
The Champions League remains the only trophy he has not won with City. However, the Daily Star claims that he also has an ambition to spend part of his career elsewhere in Europe.
Indeed, the newspaper adds that Champions League finalists Madrid are eyeing up a raid for Sterling.
Los Blancos are seemingly casting their net far and wide after failing to sign long-term target Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
Sterling has reportedly made no secret of his admiration for Real Madrid and their history.
The England international is a core part of Gareth Southgate’s plans. Despite that, the Daily Star notes that Sterling will need regular football to ensure he is in top shape ahead of the World Cup this winter.
The winger is one of several players, including England team-mate Jack Grealish, fighting for game time at City.
And with striker Erling Haaland arriving from Borussia Dortmund this summer, Sterling could find minutes even harder to come by.
TRANSFER GOSSIP – NEWCASTLE WATCHING RENAN LODI
Atletico Madrid centre-back Renan Lodi is reportedly on Newcastle’s radar as they look to bolster their defence this summer.
The Magpies enjoyed a season of two halves, with the second chapter proving much more fruitful than the first. In fact, after serious relegation fears, they ended the campaign as one of the in-form teams.
Such a turnaround was helped by their January investment, funded by their Saudi-led takeover.
Newcastle are therefore planning for more signings, especially in defence, to take the next step under Eddie Howe.
According to Chronicle Live, Brazil international Lodi is on the Magpies’ radar.
There has been no contact between the clubs as yet, but the 24-year-old’s camp reportedly feel Newcastle have a ‘great project’ in the works.
Lodi has three years left on his Atletico contract after signing for Diego Simeone’s team in 2019.
Relations between Newcastle and the La Liga side are strong after the Kieran Trippier deal in January.
