Arsenal and Manchester United are going head-to-head in the tussle to sign Belgium star Yannick Carrasco.
Formerly with Atletico Madrid, Carrasco is wanted by AC Milan as well as the pair of Premier League clubs, but Metro says “the Belgium international is understood to favour a move to Arsenal”.
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Carrasco was a member of the Belgium squad that finished third in last year’s Fifa World Cup, and his ability to play both a defensive role and as a wing-back has attracted the eye of Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
Gunners after gloveman
Arsenal are also ready to rival United for young Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao, says The Sun.
The newspaper predicts a “bidding war” between the two clubs for the 6ft 3in shot-stopper, who is viewed as the next great Brazilian gloveman after Ederson of Manchester City and Alisson at Liverpool.
Brazao, who plays for Cruzeiro, is reportedly attracting interest from Serie A outfits Inter Milan and Roma. But Arsenal are said to be determined to enlist the 18-year-old to replace the ageing Petr Cech in their squad, and a bid in the range of £3m could achieve that goal.
Arsenal undervalue Under
Roma have turned down Arsenal’s offer of £35m for Cengiz Under, says Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport.
The Gunners have long been linked with Turkish winger Under, but are believed to have withdrawn from the race to sign the 21-year-old following their failed bid.
Roma are holding out for £45m but that’s ten million too much for the Gunners, who like Chelsea and Bayern Munich baulk at the exorbitant asking price.
Suarez rejects Hammers
There are conflicting reports about the intentions of Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez, with claims yesterday that he was set on staying in Spain.
Not so, says Metro, which reports that he has “rejected the chance to join West Ham” but is still interested in a move to the Emirates.
The paper says that Suarez is “edging closer to sealing a loan move” because he wants to link up once more with Emery, with whom he worked at Sevilla.
A £20m bid by West Ham was reportedly dismissed by Suarez, who “has told Barcelona he only wants to move to Arsenal”.