Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Jorginho shirt number LEAKED, Moises Caicedo LATEST, Lokonga loan | The Sun
ARSENAL are on the brink of completing a £12million deal for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho – who has now completed his medical.
Jorginho has been pictured in his new Arsenal shirt, and his shirt number has been leaked.
The Gunners were forced to turn to Plan B having failed to land top target Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
Meanwhile, Albert Sambi-Lokonga is on the verge of making a loan switch to Crystal Palace tonight as he is set to undergo a medical.
But it could leave the Gunners short in midfield options once again following the news that Elneny could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
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- Ian Tuckey
Vlahovic 'eyes Real move'
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is again said to have "offered himself to Real Madrid" – after rumoured interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea hopes.
The Serbia hero, 23, is reportedly unsettled in Italy.
And Juve's 15-point fine for a transfer scam hardly helps.
It's claimed Vlahovic would be keen on Real coming in with a last-ditch approach.
- Ian Tuckey
Ivan deal off the cards
Arsenal have been dealt a blow as they are set to miss out on Ivan Fresneda, according to reports, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
The Gunners were linked with a January move for the right-back.
He even missed Valladolid's 1-0 win over Valencia on Sunday.
Reports claimed Fresneda was not involved because of ongoing negotiations between Valladolid and the Gunners.
Spanish big boys Real Madrid were also interested in signing him this month.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was said to have been impressed by Fresneda's displays in LaLiga this season, so much so he wanted to bolster his options on the right side of defence by signing him.
Arsenal appear to have missed out on Fresneda, a setback after also seeing their approach for Moises Caicedo rebuffed.
Instead the Gunners have moved for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho who is set to arrive for £12m.
- Ian Tuckey
Hectored into moving?
Ex-Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin looked glum as he arrived to complete his move from Barcelona to Sporting Lisbon.
The Spaniard is set to replace Tottenham-bound Pedro Porro at Portuguese giants Sporting.
Bellerin returned to Barcelona last summer, but he's been restricted to seven appearances and just ONE La Liga start.
And with less than six months left on his Nou Camp contract, he's on the move once again.
But when the 27-year-old was pictured in Lisbon airport, he didn't exactly look thrilled about the move.
And fans have been loving his hilarious reaction on social media upon his arrival in Lisbon.
One said: "Looks like a hitchhiker." A second said: "Heccy B coming with the homeless drip I see." Another said: "Seems lost." A fourth said: "He looks thrilled."
- Ian Tuckey
Moises bid shows transfer 'madness'
Reading boss Paul Ince says the valuation of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo during this transfer window highlights how ridiculous the market is right now.
Arsenal were reported to have had a £70million bid plus add-ons rejected, with Albion said to value the 21-year-old midfielder at £80m.
Former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder Ince told Premier League Odds: “You have to admire Brighton for their recruitment over the last two or three years.
“They’ve just recently sold Marc Cucurella to Chelsea for £60million and now they’ve got Caicedo, who no one had heard of a year ago and three of the biggest clubs in England are trying to sign him.
“Sir Alex Ferguson used to look at players for two or three years before buying them to make sure they were ready to sign for Man United.
“Nowadays players are having one good season and going for £60million – it’s pure madness and will only get worse.”
- Ian Tuckey
Only Arsenal's second-ever Italian outfield player
Jorginho is set to sign for Arsenal on deadline day – and become only the club's second outfield Italian signing.
Striker Arturo Lupolimade a handful of first-team appearances for the club in the 2005/06 season after emerging from Arsenal's youth side.
Lupoli joined their academy in 2003 from Parma's Under-17s and proved to be a prolific goal-scorer.
He netted 45 goals in 23 academy games and impressed coaches with his form.
While he could not replicate that level in the first-team and failed to nail down a first-team place, Lupoli did score a brace in the League Cup against Everton.
The forward would go on to have loan spells at Derby, Norwich and Sheffield United before spending most of the remainder of his career in the Italian lower leagues.
Arsenal have actually had more Italian goalkeepers than outfield players in the history of their club.
But the likes of Vito Mannone and Emiliano Viviano were never regulars.
- Ian Tuckey
Marc's amazing reaction when told of Jorginho exit
Marc Cucurella was shocked to learn Jorginho had completed his transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal.
The Blues' defender found out during an interview and could barely believe the news.
Cucurella was asked by Goal who he thought the most intelligent player in the Chelsea squad, and answered Jorginho.
But as he was about to explain his reasoning he was interrupted and was shocked to discover there were photos of the Italian in a Gunners shirt.
Cucurella said he was aware of the rumours after reading about a potential deal yesterday, and he began laughing in response when he realised Jorginho would no longer be his team-mate.
The transfer is set to be officially announced with Jorginho completing a £12million move to The Emirates.
- Ian Tuckey
Ex-Arsenal ace recommends midfielder… to Utd
Arsenal 'Invincible' legend Lauren believes fellow Cameroonian Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa could be the answer to Manchester United's lack of cover in midfield.
Lauren told FairBettingSites of the Napoli star: “Anguissa is a great player and has had a great experience in Italy.
“He would be a great addition to any Premier League teams who need a midfielder, like Manchester United.
“Anguissa has experience with Fulham too, so he’ll know how to play in England.”
- Ian Tuckey
Fresneda 'staying at Valladolid'
Real Valladolid are tipped to keep Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda after reportedly rejecting a loan bid earier today.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano expects the right-back, 18, to stay at his top-flight home-country club.
Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth has predicted ‘multiple bids’ for the Under-19 international.
But Romano believes the likeliest option is Fresneda remaining in LaLiga this season – although he added there might be "twists in the final hours" of the window.
- Ian Tuckey
Mo no
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny could be out for the season after having an operation on his knee injury.
A Gunners club statement explained: “Mo has had successful surgery in London and will be ruled out for an extended period of time.
“A more detailed timescale will be established once the early stages of rehabilitation have been completed.
“Everyone at the club will be offering Mo all the support he needs and working hard with him so he can return to action as soon as possible.”
- Ian Tuckey
Utd could ponder Youri loan move
Youri Tielemans could yet be targeted by Manchester and Arsenal today.
The Independent suggest the Leicester midfielder is a back-up option for Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag – if he decides to replace injured Christian Eriksen and can't land Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer.
And it's claimed Arsenal might move – IF a Prem rival tries to jump in for the Belgian before he's available for free in the summer.
- Ian Tuckey
First Jorginho snap in Arsenal top
Jorginho has been snapped in an Arsenal shirt for the first time following his £12million move from Chelsea.
A leaked picture of the midfielder wearing a Gunners home shirt was posted to Twitter by Fabrizio Romano.
The 31-year-old can be seen grinning from ear to ear after sealing a switch to the Emirates.
He has been snapped posing alongside his agent, Joao Santos.
Jorginho is also wearing Arsenal tracksuit bottoms in the picture, bearing the No20.
- Ian Tuckey
Eddie and Gabriel tipped to pair up
Manchester United legend Paul Parker says Eddie Nketiah’s terrific form for Arsenal means he should keep his place in the side alongside returning Gabriel Jesus.
Nketiah, 23, has become nine-goal top-scorer at the Prem leaders since filling in for Brazil star Jesus, 25, after he picked up a knee injury at the World Cup.
Parker told MyBettingSites: “At this moment in time it’s impossible to put Eddie Nketiah on the bench.
“That is a luxury problem because it is also impossible to put Gabriel Jesus on the bench.
“Both of the players are too good to be on the bench and they have to play.
“I don’t know how Mikel Arteta will solve it but he has to play with both of them at the same time.”
- James Colasanti
Trossard can go up level
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has challenged Leandro Trossard to hit new heights with the Gunners.
Brilliant displays for Brighton and Belgium saw the goal-scoring winger, 28, earn a move to the Prem leaders this month.
Gallas told Genting Casino: "I think he is a player that is a bit similar to what they already have.
"For me the question is – can Trossard go to another level at Arsenal?
"I think he is a good fit for the system that Arteta and Arsenal play.
"But I expected to see Arsenal sign a different type of forward with a different profile."
- James Colasanti
Caicedo valuation 'pure madness' – Ince
Reading boss Paul Ince says the valuation of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo during this transfer window highlights how ridiculous the market is right now.
Arsenal were reported to have had a £70million bid plus add-ons rejected, with Albion said to value the 21-year-old midfielder at £80m.
Former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder Ince told Premier League Odds: "You have to admire Brighton for their recruitment over the last two or three years.
"They've just recently sold Marc Cucurella to Chelsea for £60million and now they've got Caicedo, who no one had heard of a year ago and three of the biggest clubs in England are trying to sign him.
"Sir Alex Ferguson used to look at players for two or three years before buying them to make sure they were ready to sign for Man United.
"Nowadays players are having one good season and going for £60million – it's pure madness and will only get worse."
- James Colasanti
Arsenal poach Spurs academy chief
Arsenal have hired Chris Perkins, who was working as emerging talent manager at Spurs.
Perkins will will be professional development phase scout in the Gunners academy and work under former Arsenal skipper Per Mertesacker.
- James Colasanti
Arsenal 'should pursue Saint-Maximin'
Arsenal and Spurs should make a late bid for Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin, according to Louis Saha.
The flying French winger is out-of-favour at the Magpies and former Manchester United forward Saha thinks he would be a good fit in North London.
Saha told GGRecon: "It’s unbelievable because last season Saint-Maximin was unreal and nobody would have been thinking about the prospect of Newcastle United selling him.
"He’s been unlucky this season with injuries but he’s a top player and he could potentially find a move to one of the ‘big six’ clubs.
"I could see Arsenal or Tottenham having a player of Saint-Maximin’s quality and style."
- James Colasanti
Jorginho's farewell at Chelsea
Chelsea's players are on a day off today which means Jorginho will be denied a chance to say a proper goodbye to them, writes Andy Dillon.
The Italy midfielder is in the process of completing a move to Arsenal on an 18-month deal.
- James Colasanti
Jorginho completes Arsenal medical
Arsenal's medical staff have stress-tested Jorginho and deemed him fit and ready to play for the London giants.
The 31-year-old Italy midfielder is set to sign a contract until 2024 with an option to extend it until 2025.
The soon-to-be-former Chelsea star could make his Gunners debut in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against Everton, presumably.
- James Colasanti
Elneny's 'significant' knee injury
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny could be out for the season after having an operation on his knee injury.
A Gunners club statement explained: "Mo has had successful surgery in London and will be ruled out for an extended period of time.
"A more detailed timescale will be established once the early stages of rehabilitation have been completed.
"Everyone at the club will be offering Mo all the support he needs and working hard with him so he can return to action as soon as possible."
- James Colasanti
Arsenal's current take on Tielemans
Arsenal would only make a late move for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans today if another club try a swoop for him, according to CaughtOffside.
Journalist Ben Jacobs writes: "I think Arsenal’s preference, if they do decide to target Tielemans, would still be to get him on a free in the summer if they can.
"And they’ll only change that approach if other clubs try to jump in ahead of them in the final hours of the transfer window."
- James Colasanti
Lokonga set for Palace medical
Arsenal midfielder Sambi Lokonga is set to undergo a medical ahead of a loan move to Crystal Palace.
The Eagles “are close” to tying up a deal for the 23-year-old, who has one-cap for Belgium.
Lokongo has also been linked with a temporary switch to French giants Monaco.
- James Colasanti
'Nketiah must play alongside Jesus'
Manchester United legend Paul Parker says Eddie Nketiah's terrific form for Arsenal means he should keep his place in the side alongside returning Gabriel Jesus.
Nketiah, 23, has become nine-goal top-scorer at the Prem leaders since filling in for Brazil star Jesus, 25, after he picked up a knee injury at the World Cup.
Parker told MyBettingSites: "At this moment in time it's impossible to put Eddie Nketiah on the bench.
"That is a luxury problem because it is also impossible to put Gabriel Jesus on the bench.
"Both of the players are too good to be on the bench and they have to play.
“I don't know how Mikel Arteta will solve it but he has to play with both of them at the same time."
- James Colasanti
Is Caicedo deal dead?
Given Arsenal's repeated attempts to sign Moises Caicedo – and given there is still nearly 12 hours of the window to go – is it sensible to assume that deal is now dead in the water?
Fellow midfielder Jorginho has been brought in from Chelsea, granted, but he is a decade older than Brighton's Caicedo – and a different player.
The Ecuadorian has agitated for a move too and if he does stay at Albion it might be a bit #awkward for the rest of the campaign.
Gunners transfer chief Edu has clearly worked hard on the Caicedo deal – perhaps he'll have another run at it this afternoon.
- James Colasanti
Tielemans not moving this window
A deadline-day exit for Youri Tielemans at Leicester is looking unlikely, writes Tom Barclay.
The Belgium midfielder has been linked with a move to Prem giants Arsenal and Manchester United.
But SunSport understands the 25-year-old is set to leave on a free transfer in the summer when his Foxes contract expires.
- James Colasanti
Lokonga linked with Palace loan
Arsenal midfielder Sambi Lokonga has been linked with a loan move to Crystal Palace.
The Eagles "are close" to tying up a deal for the 23-year-old, who has one-cap for Belgium, according to transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey.
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