Arsenal interested in Man Utd defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling
Gunners set for an overhaul and United duo could be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford - latest Arsenal transfer news and gossip
Arsene Wenger has sounded out Manchester United "over the availability" of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, reports the Daily Express.
The under-pressure Arsenal manager knows he has to hit the ground running in August if he's to avoid discontent growing in north London, and to that end he's going to overhaul his defence in the summer. Having already signed Sead Kolasinac from Schalke on a free transfer, Wenger is now eyeing up Jones and Smalling and he's even put in a request to Old Trafford asking "to be kept informed of any developments".
It's believed Jose Mourinho could be ready to offload the defensive duo, particularly as he's bringing in Benfica's Victor Lindelof, while Wenger is fearful that he could lose Laurent Koscielny to Marseille this summer.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile the Express also says that Wenger won't stand in the way should Gallic goal machine Olivier Giroud choose to leave the Emirates in search of regular game time.
Speculation has been growing in recent weeks that the 30-year-old striker, who helped his country to victory in last night's friendly against England, is unhappy at his infrequent starts for the Gunners.
Despite having signed a new long-term deal in January, Giroud started just 11 league games last season but he still managed to score 12 goals. Desperate to ensure he makes France's World Cup squad next summer, Giroud is considering his options with Marseille known to be interested in bringing him back to his homeland, although the Evening Standard claims that West Ham United "are eyeing a move" for the Frenchman.
According to the Express, Wenger is definitely going to make a play for Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette this summer, and if he gets his man the Arsenal gaffer will help Giroud "facilitate a move to a new club should he want to move".
Elsewhere, and the latest high-profile player to be linked to the Emirates is Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. Arsenal and Spurs have both scouted the 23-year-old and neither have been thrown off the scent by the fact that Calhanoglu was banned for the final four months of last season by Fifa for breaching the terms of his contract.
The Turkey international offers pace and power from the midfield, but as he showed with his nine goals last season he also likes to attack. Talksport cites German newspaper Bild in claiming that Calhanoglu is "eyeing a move to the Premier League" after rejecting a £13m approach from Italian club Lazio.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published