Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Declan Rice wants Gunners move EXCLUSIVE, battle with Barca for Gundogan, Smith Rowe latest

ARSENAL are in pole position to land Declan Rice - and SunSport can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that the West Ham skipper bang up for the move.

Our insider said: "Right now Declan is in a very strong position, but Arsenal is the move he really wants."

However, Emile Smith Rowe could be heading the other way instead as David Moyes is claimed to be an admirer of the England international.

Meanwhile, according to reports in Spain, Manchester City star Gundogan has agreed a deal to join Barcelona this summer amid speculation the Gunners offered him a two-year deal.

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Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours from the Emirates...

West Ham superstar Declan Rice is apparently desperate for a move to go through at Arsenal, reports SunSport's Etienne Fermie.

A source told SunSport: "Right now Declan is in a very strong position, but Arsenal is the move he really wants.

"He likes the journey the club is on and the role he could potentially play in helping them to move to the next level.

"Going abroad at this stage of his career isn't on his mind. He thinks he's already playing in the best league in the world. Why would he want to leave?"

Manchester City star and Arsenal transfer target Ilkay Gundogan has been prolific during the Premier League champions’ whopping Treble bid.

Gundogan scored both of City's goals in the FA Cup Final against rivals Manchester United.

However, the midfielder's contract runs out on June 30 and his future appears uncertain amid interest from Barcelona and of course the Gunners.

Reports suggest the Citizens have offered the Germany international a new one-year deal with the option to extend until 2025.

But rumours from Spain claim the 32-year-old has agreed to go to Barca to replace Sergio Busquets and the announcement could be made official after tonight's Champions League Final.

West Ham superstar Declan Rice has his heart set on a move to Arsenal, reports SunSport's Etienne Fermie.

But the Hammers are believed to be interested in the idea of a deal involving the Gunners' Emile Smith Rowe moving the opposite way.

A source told SunSport: "West Ham know they are in a strong position with this deal which is why targeting a talent like Emile Smith Rowe has become part of the conversation at the club.

"Nobody can replace Declan Rice, but David Moyes is a big fan of Smith Rowe and thinks he could really help the team as they rebuild and plan for life after Declan Rice.

"For a long period Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal's best players but he has fallen down the pecking order a little bit. He won't be a starter next season but Arsenal aren't keen to lose the player.

"However, if it means getting Rice and keeping him away from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, it could ultimately end up being a road they are forced to go down. Rice is there main summer target."

Arsenal are monitoring the situation surrounding Chelsea star Kai Havertz.

The Telegraph report the Gunners are interested in a transfer which could see them splash £70million.

Mikel Arteta's side are also said to be keeping tabs on Belgium star Timothy Castagne.

Reports from Belgium suggest Arsenal scouted the Leicester defender in May ahead of a potential deal, with the Foxes asking price reported to be £13m-£17m.

Arsenal have also entered the running to hijack Tottenham's transfer for Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, according to Fanatik.

The Gunners will also face competition from Newcastle to sign Moises Caicedo, after the Daily Mail named him as one of four midfielders Newcastle were targeting within their £75m budget.

In terms of outgoings, Arsenal may be set to say goodbye to January signing Jorginho.

90min claim the club are listening to offers, which has piqued the interest of former boss Maurizio Sarri, who may try for a reunion at Lazio.

Former Watford star Troy Deeney has claimed he almost joined the Gunners but refused to apologise for "cojones" criticism.

Speaking on the Filthy Fellas podcast, Deeney revealed how he was approached by Arsenal in 2020.

However, any prospective deal fell through with Deeney unwilling to apologise for his declaration of Arsenal lacking "cojones"

He said: "You know I was close to signing [for Arsenal]. The year I got relegated.

"We lost at Arsenal, 3-2, me and Welbz [Danny Welbeck] scored, we could have probably beaten you, it was that Covid year, behind-closed-doors.

"We got relegated on that day, this is at Arsenal, and everyone was like, "Ahhh cajones!" and whatever, shut your mouth man.

"Then, back in training, I’m just on the bike because my knee isn't right, and someone from Arsenal calls, like, ‘Yo, would you go Arsenal?

But what you have to do, you have to apologise for that comment.’"I said I wasn't going to apologise for that."

Jorginho is in line for a shock reunion with Maurizio Sarri at Lazio, reports suggest.

The ex-Chelsea star only signed for the Gunners in January, but could now make a surprise transfer back to Italy.

According to 90min, Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for the midfielder.

And this has got the attention of Sarri, who would be keen on a reunion.

A deal would reportedly cost £12million.

Martin Odegaard has thanked Arsenal fans after he was voted the club's Player of the Year.

The Gunners captain took to the club's social media pages to post his heartfelt message.

🗣️ A message from our Player of the Season, Martin Odegaard ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qx62UGsSK4

Arsenal will reportedly try to hijack a bid from Tottenham for Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson.

New Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou wants to recruit the 24-year-old as part of his defensive reshuffle.

However, Fanatik have now reported the Dane is being targeted by the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta's side in the market for a new defender.

Nelsson has a top-end estimated price of £13.6millon.

Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe has returned to the club after his loan spell with Nice.

Pepe, 28, managed six goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances.

The winger originally joined Arsenal in 2019, but failed to settle and yielded just 16 goals in 80 appearances.

Newcastle will rival Arsenal in the pursuit of Brighton star Moises Caicedo, according to reports.

The Daily Mail claim Newcastle are targeting moves for Caicedo, James Maddison, Scott McTominay and Conor Gallagher.

However, the Toon will only have £75million to spend on transfers before sales due to Financial Fair Play restrictions.

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has claimed he almost joined Arsenal.

Speaking on the Filthy Fellas podcast, Deeney revealed how he was approached by Arsenal in 2020.

However, any prospective deal fell through with Deeney unwilling to apologise for his declaration of Arsenal lacking "cojones"

He said: "You know I was close to signing [for Arsenal]. The year I got relegated.

"We lost at Arsenal, 3-2, me and Welbz [Danny Welbeck] scored, we could have probably beaten you, it was that Covid year, behind-closed-doors.

"We got relegated on that day, this is at Arsenal, and everyone was like, "Ahhh cajones!" and whatever, shut your mouth man.

"Then, back in training, I’m just on the bike because my knee isn't right, and someone from Arsenal calls, like, 'Yo, would you go Arsenal? But what you have to do, you have to apologise for that comment.'

"I said I wasn't going to apologise for that."

West Ham have lined up their replacement for Declan Rice in the form of Edson Alvarez.

The Guardian report David Moyes is keen on landing both £45million rated Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse.

Landing the Ajax star will give West Ham the security they need of replacing their captain.

Arsenal are lining up a bid for Timothy Castagne, according to reports in Belgium, via Sport Witness.

The Leicester defender is said to be on the radar for the Gunners following a scouting mission last month.

The 27-year-old who can play as both a left-back and right-back, will reportedly command a fee of £13-£17million.

Arsenal target Xavi Simons has responded to rumours regarding his future.

The PSV star had been linked with a move to the Emirates and a move back to PSG with a clause inserted into his contract.

However, Simons appeared to squash rumours of his exit, telling reporters: "It is a clause between me and PSV. Not between me and Paris Saint-Germain.

"It's a clause that, if I wanted to go to PSG, I could leave for a certain amount at the end of the season. To be honest, it's not in my head to leave.

"I’m settled here, I feel good here. You can also see that on the field I think. I came here on a free transfer, so I have no obligations to anyone. I’m the one who has to make the choice."

He added: "I don't know yet (on future elsewhere).

"I’m now with the Dutch national team, I’m going to work here for two weeks and then we’ll see what happens. Soon we will decide together with family what is best for me."

Arsenal are monitoring the situation of Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, according to The Telegraph.

The Germany international is understood to be on Mikel Arteta's radar.

However, the club is reluctant to pay Chelsea's £70million asking price.

Arsenal have announced that Martin Odegaard has won the club's Player of the Season award.

Arsenal and West Ham are close to reaching an agreement for the transfer of Declan Rice, according to reports.

The Hammers gave Rice the green light to leave following Wednesday's Europa Conference League victory.

And Arsenal are prepared to table a club-record bid in order to secure his services.

In his newsletter for The Independent, transfer expert Miguel Delaney wrote: "There has been progress with Arsenal, although they are still some way apart from West Ham United as regards how the purchase is made.

"A fee is almost agreed, but West Ham want the payment to only be over two instalments."

Arsenal will take on Ligue 1 side Monaco in this year's Emirates Cup.

For the first time ever, the match will take place mid-week, on Wednesday, August 2 at 6pm.

Arsenal look to have missed out on a £30million for the 'next Phil Foden'.

The Gunners had been one of a number of Premier League clubs linked with a move for Feyenoord captain Orkun Kokcu.

The Turkish international emerged as a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka last month.

Prem rivals Aston Villa and Brighton then joined the race.

And now Mikel Arteta has reportedly missed out on his man after a European heavyweight swooped.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Benfica are now on the brink of a £30m deal, which would be a record sale for the Dutch side.

Feyenoord sporting director Dennis te Kloese admitted: "It could be the right time for him to leave."

Declan Rice has his heart set on a move to Arsenal, SunSport understands.

But West Ham are believed to be interested in the idea of a deal involving Emile Smith Rowe moving the opposite way.

Sources say David Moyes is a "big fan" of Smith-Rowe but that Mikel Arteta is reluctant to sell him.

Our insider said: "West Ham know they are in a strong position with this deal which is why targeting a talent like Emile Smith Rowe has become part of the conversation at the club.

"Nobody can replace Declan Rice, but David Moyes is a big fan of Smith Rowe and thinks he could really help the team as they rebuild and plan for life after Declan Rice.

"For a long period Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal's best players but he has fallen down the pecking order a little bit. He won't be a starter next season but Arsenal aren't keen to lose the player.

"However, if it means getting Rice and keeping him away from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, it could ultimately end up being a road they are forced to go down. Rice is there main summer target."

And in a boost for the Gunners, Rice is apparently desperate for the move to go through.

The source added: "Right now Declan is in a very strong position, but Arsenal is the move he really wants.

"He likes the journey the club is on and the role he could potentially play in helping them to move to the next level.

"Going abroad at this stage of his career isn't on his mind. He thinks he's already playing in the best league in the world. Why would he want to leave?"

Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard has been ruled out of Belgium's upcoming international fixtures after undergoing minor surgery.

He was due to team up with his Red Devils team-mates for Euro 2024 qualifiers with Austria and Estonia on June 17 and June 20 respectively.

However, he will be unable to feature as he recovers from minor surgery and looks to return to full fitness for the start of Arsenal's pre-season next month.

West Ham have reportedly drawn up a three-man transfer shortlist of potential replacements for Declan Rice – including TWO of his England team-mates.

The midfielder has been given the green light to leave the London Stadium this summer, with Arsenal understood to be his likely destination.

But while he may be going out of the exit door, boss David Moyes is already looking at players to come in and fill that huge void.

And the Daily Mail have claimed that there are three men on his wishlist.

They state that "Fulham's Joao Palhinha has been identified as the No 1 target" following an impressive first season in England at Craven Cottage.

The Portuguese international, 27, won 147 tackles last term – the highest in the Premier League.

But Moyes is also looking at some British beef, and two Three Lions international colleagues are also being looked at.

Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips is another name in the frame. The Hammers have a long-standing interest in the 27-year-old, who they bid £50m for in January 2022 before he left Leeds for City in the next window.

However, Sun Sport exclusively revealed previously that relegated Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse, 28, is the player West Ham want to replace Rice.

Former Arsenal star Mathieu Debuchy has retired from professional football.

The Frenchman, who has spent the last two years with Ligue 2 side Valenciennes, tweeted: "The end of a dream but the beginning of a new life.

"Thank you to all the people from near and far who have contributed to my development in the different clubs where I have been."

Barcelona are hoping to complete the signing of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan next week.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the La Liga giants are waiting until after the Champions League final to finalise the move, which would see the midfielder join on a free transfer.

Arsenal were also interested in signing Gundogan, but he now looks set to join Barcelona.

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has been "offered a reunion with a former boss" in a shock transfer.

The Italian has been a Gunner for less than six months but could already be on the move this summer.

90min report that the Gunners are willing to listen to offers for Jorginho, with Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri keen on a reunion.

The pair have previously worked together at both Napoli and Chelsea, with Sarri bringing Jorginho with him to Stamford Bridge in 2018.

Jorginho has made 162 appearances under the Italian, more than any other manager in his career, and they won the Europa League together in 2019.

The report adds that Lazio's Serie A rivals Napoli and AC Milan are also interested in a move, although, Arsenal are not actively looking to force him out.

Arsenal defender Ben White showed a new type of dark arts as he and Milly Adams wore matching black for the beach on their Ibiza honeymoon.

White and his model wife stood out from the crowd - especially as they added some fashionable flourishes to their attire.

The England ace donned cravat-style blue neckwear with an open shirt and Milly wore frilly see-through leggings above a bikini.

The couple wed at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London last month.

And when they announced the news on Instagram, Milly said she had "married her best friend".

So maybe that extends to making a shared fashion statement.