Transfer Gossip: Arteta ponders enticing Arsenal, Serie A swap by accepting defeat on key signing; Man City jolted by Haaland claim

Arsenal could use a Mikel Arteta signing in an exciting Serie A swap, while Manchester City act fast over Erling Haaland – both in all the latest Transfer Gossip.

ARSENAL CONSIDERING LOCATELLI, LOKONGA SWAP

Albert Sambi Lokonga could be used by Arsenal in a swap deal for Manuel Locatelli, according to a report.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has earned plaudits for his recruitment alongside transfer chief Edu since his arrival. The likes of Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have all made an impact.

Alongside Odegaard in the midfield, Arsenal signed Belgian talent Lokonga from Anderlecht in 2021.

However, the 22-year-old has not had the impact many observers thought he would. In fact, while he has made 45 matchday squads for Arsenal, he has only started 14 of those games and stayed on the bench in 20 more.

As a result, Calciomercatoweb claims that Arsenal could swap him with long-term target Locatelli.

The Italy international was a Gunners target last summer – and remains on their radar. Although, he left Sassuolo for Juventus instead, on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy.

But like Lokonga at Arsenal, Locatelli is not a nailed-on starter in Turin. The 24-year-old started 23 of the 31 Serie A games for which he was available last term.

And while he has featured heavily in Serie A this term, Calciomercatoweb claims that Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri does not have Locatelli at the forefront of his plans.

As such, the report claims that a swap deal involving him and Lokonga is a ‘concrete possibility’ for Arsenal and Juventus.

Both players are reportedly valued at around €30million (£26million), making a deal make sense even more for the two clubs.

Locatelli has spent all of his career so far in Italy, but the the report claims Premier League interest from Arsenal could persuade him to move across Europe.

Lokonga had links with Serie A champions AC Milan in the summer transfer window.

MAN CITY WORKING TO REMOVE HAALAND CLAUSE

Manchester City are reportedly working to remove a clause in Erling Haaland’s contract that allows Real Madrid a free run at his signature in 2024.

The Norwegian has taken the Premier League by storm since his summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund. But, after 14 goals in eight league games, he is showing no signs of slowing down.

Nevertheless, his father, former Premier League star Alf-Inge Haaland, claimed in a recent documentary that his son may only stay at City for four years at the most.

And there were claims on Tuesday that La Liga giants Madrid could indeed offer the striker a new challenge in 2024.

The report from former Real Madrid defender Fernando Sanz, who was previously Malaga’s president and now works at La Liga, was that Los Blancos have exclusive access to Haaland in two years’ time.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Man City are now working to try and make that clause ‘null and void’.

Indeed, given the revelations about their star forward, the Premier League champions are ‘already moving to renegotiate’ his contract.

The reports of Madrid’s potential 2024 transfer came after claims of a Haaland release clause. The 22-year-old will reportedly be available for £130million in two years’ time.

TRANSFER GOSSIP – EVERTON HAVE CONOR COADY PLAN

Everton feel confident of tying Conor Coady to a permanent deal next summer, a report claims.

And Wolves’ incoming change of manager will not affect their plan, according to The Times.

The Molineux club sacked Bruno Lage after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to West Ham at the London Stadium.

Lage let Coady go because of concerns about the centre-back’s ability to play in a back four.

However, Everton have benefitted and they have an option to make the loan deal permanent.

The Toffees in fact have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season.

Alongside Coady, boss Frank Lampard added former Burnley defender James Tarkowski to his defence in the summer.