Transfer news and rumours: Arsenal chase down Gonzalo Higuain while John Stones favours Manchester City move

Arsenal are continuing to chase down Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain. The Gunners are ready to offer Olivier Giroud and £42m for the Argentine strike as they look to freshen up their front line, the Sun reports. Giroud’s agent has also talked up the deal by admitting his client would thrive at a club like Napoli. Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 league appearances last season and is understood to be seeking a move away from Serie A. Can Arsenal get their man?

The Gunners may remain hopeful on Higuain but the London club have had a £25m bid rejected for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, according to the Daily Express. The club are in the market for a new centre-back this summer with doubts remaining over both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. The young Italy impressed in Serie A last season but is currently behind Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini in the pecking order.

John Stones has made clear his plans for the future after he told Everton he wants to move to Manchester City. The Liverpool Echo is reporting that the young defender wishes to join Pep Guardiola’s side prior to City’s pre-season training. Stones is hoping that the move to the Etihad Stadium can gather pace this week but Guardiola will have to be prepared to meet his £50m asking price first.

It’s not looking as promising on the Leroy Sane front though. The midfielder has not told Schalke that he wants to leave, according to the Daily Star, and the German giants will only entertain offers for their young star should he hand in a transfer request. It seems City boss Pep Guardiola is eager to get his man, however, and would be willing to shell out £40m for the 20-year-old.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho could be reunited with his former Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard’s place at Stamford Bridge is in question as Antonio looks to freshen up his new side but there may be little room for Fabregas in the new Chelsea outfit. According to the Daily Mirror, Mourinho would be ready to swoop for the 29-year-old, whom he has a strong relationship with, if the midfielder became surplus to Conte’s requirements.

Elsewhere, free agent and Welsh superstar Hal Robson-Kanu, 27, has been offered £100,000-a-week to move to the Chinese Super League after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign, the Daily Mirror writes.

Middlesbrough are close to signing 30-year-old Valencia forward Alvaro Negredo on a loan deal, reports the Guardian.

According to the Telegraph, Swansea are launching an ambitious £10m bid for Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa, 29, in light of Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis’ expected departures.

And last but not least, the Daily Mirror believes that England are closing in on Sunderland’s Sam Allardyce as they look to appoint Roy Hodgson’s successor. Gary Neville could also be expected to make an instant return to the coaching staff as part of Big Sam’s team.