Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Krystian Bielik bid to be improved; £15.6m Ilkay Gundogan talks; Bafetimbi Gomis linked
The latest transfer talk surrounding the Emirates
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Arsenal's pursuit of Polish youngster Krystian Bielik continues. The 17-year-old holding midfielder, who currently plays for Legia Warsaw, recently revealed he had already travelled to Arsenal to speak to the club but a fee hadn't yet been agreed. The Gunners look willing to up their offer of £1.6m and according to the latest reports have sent their 'chief negotiator' Dick Law to Poland to finalise the deal. It comes amid competition from Hamburg.
The Gunners have also held a long-term interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. It was reported earlier this month that Arsene Wenger has seen to it that Arsenal have made contact with their German counterparts over a possible deal. Reports today now suggest that's been followed up with a bid of £15.6m. The report adds that the two clubs will meet in the coming days to discuss it further.
Swansea face losing more than one striker this month amid reports that Arsenal have been sounded out over a possible move for Bafetimbi Gomis. The Welsh club have already agreed to sell Wilfried Bony to Manchester City but it seems that his strike partner, the 29-year-old Frenchman Gomis, could be on his way too. The player himself was quoted recently as saying: "I know clubs have been speaking to my agent and my agent has been speaking to one very big club so we will see what happens. I believe I could do a job for most clubs and like any player I want to play in the Champions League. There is more to come from me and I just want to play regularly."
Suggestions that Arsenal will seek a replacement for Wojciech Szczesny have only increased after Wenger opted to leave the stopper out of the starting XI for the victory over Stoke at the weekend. The decision came after it emerged the goalkeeper had been caught smoking in the toilets after a match. The latest replacement linked is Mattia Perin, a player earmarked as Gianluigi Buffon's long-term successor. The 22-year-old has been impressing at Genoa for the last 18 months and could move for a fee in the region of £18m.
NOT INTERESTED...
Alvaro Arbeloa is to reject Arsenal in favour of a move to Liverpool, according to the Daily Express. It seems the Real Madrid defender prefers the idea of a return to his former club than the Emirates after growing frustrated with his lack of game time at the Bernabeu. The 31-year-old would like a move this month rather than seeing out the season, the sources of the story say.
GONE...
Yaya Sanogo has left the Gunners on loan, with Wenger getting his wish that the young striker stays in the Premier League. The French player joins the relegation battle at Crystal Palace. More on that story here.
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