Jonathan Kaney has the latest Arsenal transfer gossip, where he also gives his opinion on the claims from the papers.
Guardiola wants to manage London club (Mail)
Arsenal have been handed a boost in securing Pep Guardiola as Arsene Wenger’s replacement, with the Mail reporting the Spaniard has told friends he would prefer to move to a London club if he were to leave Bayern.
Chelsea and Arsenal will be on red alert after these comments and where he ends up could well be an issue of timing. With Jose Mourinho perilously close to the sack, Chelsea’s hand may be forced to appoint another manager before Guardiola becomes available in the summer. With the Spaniard also keen to win the Champions League with Bayern, he may well stay on another season until Arsene Wenger is ready to hand the reins over to a successor in 2017.
Nolito move seems dead in the water (Mirror)
Arsenal and Barcelona have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Celta Vigo talisman Nolito, with the 28-year-old Spaniard ruling out a move in January. He told Spanish radio station Radio Marca: “God will decide my future. I’m not leaving in January. I’m happy in Vigo.”
The news will be a blow to Wenger as the talented Spaniard is thought to be his preferred option to cover for the injury to Danny Welbeck and was good value for the £10m price quoted. However, there are plenty of replacement targets for him to explore.
Arsenal join Liverpool in Ruben Neves chase (Metro)
18-year-old Neves skippered Porto to a 2-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv last Tuesday and become the youngest Champions League captain ever. Liverpool are thought to be have been monitoring his situation in Porto, but the Gunners have joined the race for the starlet.
The young midfielder is seen as Europe’s risings stars after establishing himself so early in the Porto team. With Arsenals reputation for moulding young talent in to superstars, a move for young Portuguese international would be a good move for the player and the club. Watch this space as to how his situation unfolds in the transfer window.
Arsenal closely tracking Juventus striker Dybala (Metro)
The Metro also reports that Arsenal and Man United are watching Argentina star Paulo Dybala’s situation at Juventus closely after the 21-year-old’s slow start in Turin. The Argentine was one of the hottest properties in Europe last summer after a sublime season for Palermo, and he was linked with elite clubs across the continent before opting for Juventus. However, things have not quite gone to plan with him struggling for game time under Massimo Allegri.
Dybala’s former president at Palermo, Maurizio Zamparini, who has compared Dybala to Messi in the past, has been vocal in his frustration with how Juventus are treating him, recently saying: ‘I’m really annoyed with Allegri because he’s ruining a champion. Dybala personifies football, Allegri doesn’t. I’ve written to Paulo telling him to ask Juve to send him elsewhere.’
If his situation doesn’t improve at Juventus, Dybala would be a welcome addition to the Gunners squad. At just 21, he is one of the best young players in Europe and has a promising career ahead of him under the right manager. If things aren’t working out with defensive minded Allegri, then a switch to the Emirates under Wenger could see him fulfil his potential.