Insigne interest
London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea could be set to go head to head in the race to sign Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne.
TalkSPORT has been reading Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport and as a result the broadcaster says the Premier League clubs “have both made approaches” to the Serie A side over the possibility of a summer deal for Insigne.
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The Italy forward reportedly has a price tag of €100m (£85.7m), which is a little out of Arsenal’s financial range, and with Paris Saint-Germain also interested it’s unlikely much will come of this rumour.
Scouting Djene
Arsenal have added Getafe defender Djene to their summer shopping list. Citing Spanish newspaper Marca, the Daily Mirror says that Gunners head coach Unai Emery is keeping tabs on the 27-year-old “with a view to making him one of their summer signings”.
It’s Djene’s versatility that Emery likes because he is comfortable playing at centre-back and right-back.
Djene has enjoyed an impressive season for unfancied Getafe and they are on course to finish in the top four of La Liga.
Apparently the Togo international first caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs last year but remained loyal to Getafe. They’ve since inserted a €35m (£30m) release clause in his contract and are ready to cash in on the player next month.
Gaga for Lala
Arsenal are ready to rival Manchester City for the hand of Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala, says the Daily Express.
Taking its cue from French publication Le10 Sport, the Express claims that the Premier League pair are ready to meet the £13m asking price for the reliable right-back.
While Pep Guardiola believes Lala could be a useful understudy to Kyle Walker, Arsenal boss Emery sees the 27-year-old as the man to deputise for Hector Bellerin in the event he suffers more injury woe next season.
Teenage sensation
The Express also says that the Gunners are one of several clubs “interested in signing Brazilian teenager Antony”.
The 19-year-old is still learning his craft at Sao Paulo but such is his raw talent that Ajax, PSV, Monaco and Lyon have all registered their interest.
According to the Express, Antony’s agent, Junior Pedroso, has flown to Europe to negotiate and while the player has a £42m release clause in his contract, it’s reported that Sao Paulo could be ready to sell for £21m.
Nkunku price
Football.London says that Arsenal may be interested to read the story about Christopher Nkunku in French newspaper Le Parisien.
The Gunners were linked with the 21-year-old in January and although nothing came of it in the winter transfer window the interest is still there.
It’s claimed that Nkunku is one of several players that PSG will release next month as they try to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. That will mean “a minimum of €60m [£51.4m] in player sales before 30 June”, and one of those is expected to be Nkunku, who PSG are willing to let leave for “around £17m”.
Back to domestic action
After their exploits in the Europa League on Thursday Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend. On Sunday the Gunners play at home against Brighton & Hove Albion (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports).
Premier League fixtures
Friday 3 May
Saturday 4 May (3pm unless stated)
- AFC Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur (12.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
- West Ham United vs. Southampton
- Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Fulham
- Cardiff City vs. Crystal Palace (5.30pm, live on BT Sport)
- Newcastle United vs. Liverpool (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports)
Sunday 5 May
- Chelsea vs. Watford (2pm)
- Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester United (2pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 6 May
- Manchester City vs. Leicester City (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
