Arsenal transfer news: Hector Herrera, Aaron Ramsey, Denis Suarez, Matthijs de Ligt
Gunners target Porto ace Herrera as Ramsey agrees deal to join Juventus

Have Arsenal found their replacement for Juventus-bound Aaron Ramsey? Yes, according to The Sun, which reports that the Gunners are ready “to nab Porto midfielder Hector Herrera on a free transfer”.
The deal won’t happen until summer, but Arsenal are said to be cautiously optimistic that 28-year-old Herrera - who has failed to agree on a new deal with the Portuguese outfit - will sign on the dotted line.
Quoting Italian source Tuttomercato, the newspaper adds that the Gunners are one of a number of clubs “desperate” to sign the Mexican international.
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.
Gunners boss Unai Emery is said to admire his midfield work, although Herrera reportedly expects “a hefty pay packet” in return. Among the clubs also on his tail are Inter Milan, Roma, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.
Suarez update
The Sun also has a latest on Arsenal’s bid to lure Denis Suarez from Barcelona, and it’s good news for the Gunners.
Emery is “still confident” of landing Suarez, with the player ready to make the move. All that remains is for Arsenal to persuade Barca to a loan move, rather than the £20m that they are reportedly demanding for a permanent deal.
Monreal manoeuvre
Meanwhile, Metro reports that Arsenal have learned from past mistakes and triggered a clause in Nacho Monreal’s contract to ensure he doesn’t leave on a free transfer.
Monreal’s current deal runs out in June, but the clause means the 32-year-old defender can’t leave on a free.
Ramsey agrees Juve deal
There was no similar clause in Aaron Ramsey’s deal, leaving the midfielder able and willing to sign a pre-contract agreement with Juventus.
The Welshman is set to leave in the summer when his contract expires - and Arsenal will not receive a penny. Since joining the north London club in 2008, Ramsey has scored 52 goals in 252 Premier League matches.
Sky Sports says Ramsey will have a medical in Italy on Sunday, while The Guardian is reporting that the 28-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with Juve worth £36m.
De Ligt talks
According to the Daily Mirror, 19-year-old Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt is a “target” for the Gunners, but the London side “will have to wait” until the summer to land the teenager.
“A move will not be happening this transfer window,” De Ligt told Dutch media. “Ajax fans will not have to worry about that.”
Goal.com reports that the Netherlands international is also a target for Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Systems go for Carrasco
The Mirror also has news on Arsenal’s pursuit of Belgian ace Yannick Carrasco, with the paper reporting that Unai Emery has given “the green light” to sign the former Atletico Madrid winger.
Currently playing in the Chinese Super League, the 25-year-old wants a return to Europe, but the Mirror quotes French sources as saying that Arsenal “will have their work cut out as Dalian Yifang are unwilling to part with the man”.
The Sun goes a step further, claiming that the Gunners have “held encouraging talks” with Carrasco’s representatives and “are set to send an official offer”.
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
-
Music reviews: Bon Iver, Valerie June, and The Waterboys
Feature "Sable, Fable," "Owls, Omens, and Oracles," "Life, Death, and Dennis Hopper"
By The Week US
-
Are bonds worth investing in?
the explainer They can diversify your portfolio and tend to be a safer investment than stocks
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Elon has his 'Legion.' How will Republicans encourage other Americans to have babies?
Today's Big Question The pronatalist movement finds itself in power
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Where are all the English football managers?
Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?
Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
By The Week UK
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK
-
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
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling