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.
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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”.
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