Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Major double signing on for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta gets his wish; Ten Hag wants Man Utd to sign Sevilla star

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, during a Europa League press conference

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

Arsenal are closing on two major January deals that can help push Mikel Arteta’s side towards Premier League title glory, Man Utd are pushing for a deal to sign a World Cup goalkeeper, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims interested clubs have learned exactly how much a loan deal for Joao Felix will cost them.

ADRIEN RABIOT CLOSING ON ARSENAL TRANSFER

Arsenal are reportedly on the cusp of agreeing a deal to bring Adrien Rabiot to Emirates Stadium in January.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to land a new central midfielder to provide cover and competition for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. The two stars have been excellent this season during the Gunners’ push to win a first crown in 19 years. However, Arteta has long since made it clear that he wants an experienced option to fall back upon should either suffer injury or suspension.

They have long since considered a deal for Leicester’s Youri Tielemans who is out of contract in the summer. However, Arteta has reportedly decided to look elsewhere and a deal for Juventus’ Rabiot is now his No 1 focus.

Now according to reports in Italy, a deal to bring Rabiot to Emirates Stadium is close to being agreed. The star earns around £134,000 a week in Turin and is looking for wages of around £150,000 a week to move to the Premier League.

And after his displays at the 2022 World Cup, Arteta and Co are reportedly Rabiot would be worth it.

They will likely thrash out a fee of around £12m with Juventus with his deal due to expire in the summer.

And with his fee unlikely to make too much of a dent into Arsenal’s budget, they are also preparing for a second signing too.

Arsenal also closing on signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk

The Gunners, meanwhile, are also seemingly closing on the signing of Shakhtar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Their opening offer of £58m was rejected by the Ukrainian side last week as talks over his transfer began.

And while there remained a confidence a deal could be done, those hopes dropped dramatically amid claims Chelsea were set to hijack the transfer.

However, it seems the gifted 21-year-old winger still only has eyes for Arsenal. Indeed, reports claim Mudryk has now agreed personal terms on a five-and-a-half-year deal at Emirates Stadium.

Furthermore, with the player also branding Arteta a ‘top coach’, the Daily Mail reports another positive step for Arsenal. And they claim that Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has branded Mudryk a future Ballon d’Or winner if Arsenal can push through a deal.

As a result, the Gunners are ready to make an increased offer for Mudryk. And their latest offer is set to top around £80m once bonuses and add-ons are included.

That will see Arsenal pay an initial £55m, with an extra £25m in achievable bonuses. And they hope that will be enough for Shakhtar to finally accept what has been a lengthy chase for Mudryk.

TEN HAG SETTLES ON BONO SWOOP

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ready to push for a deal to sign Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in January.

The Morocco keeper – more commonly known as Bono – is Ten Hag’s overwhelming choice to move to United as their new goalkeeper.

However, the signing of the Sevilla star will not mean the end of David De Gea. Instead, the United manager wants to extend De Gea’s deal – albeit on reduced terms – for another three seasons at Old Trafford.

But the Spaniard will face a stronger challenge than ever for the United No 1 shirt from Bono. He is rated as one of LaLiga’s best goalkeepers and proved that with some excellent displays at Qatar 2022.

After Martin Dubravka was recalled to Newcastle, Ten Hag wants a new goalkeeper as a matter of urgency. Manchester United only have veteran star Tom Heaton and inexperienced Nathan Bishop to call upon should anything happen to De Gea.

However, a deal for Bono will give Ten Hag two top-quality keepers to call upon. And he hopes the demand to be United No 1 will push both players to new heights.

Per Footmercato, talks are underway to bring Bono to Old Trafford, though Bayern Munich are also reportedly keen.

MAN UTD, ARSENAL LEARN JOAO FELIX COSTS

Premier League clubs looking to sign Joao Felix have learned exactly what the player will cost to sign on loan.

The Portuguese forward is unhappy at Atletico Madrid and looking to make an exit at the Wanda Metropolitano.

At £113m, he remains their record signing. However, there are some doubts he is entirely suited to their style of football. But Atletico are having  second thoughts over his permanent sale, especially amid claims that Diego Simeone could depart as coach.

Instead, the Rojoblancos are willing to discuss his loan departure. And his agent Jorge Mendes has held talks with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Aston Villa.

Of those interested, it is perhaps Arsenal who are most strongly linked. Indeed, trusted journalist David Ornstein has confirmed Mikel Arteta’s desire to bring him to the club in January.

United, though, also need more attacking options with Cristiano Ronaldo having departed. Signing Felix on a temporary deal could prove the ideal solution.

Now, according to The Athletic, teams have been informed that any deal for Felix on loan must pay an £18.6m package. That includes his loan fee of £13,3m (€15m) as well as coverage of his wages worth £5.3m (€6m) gross.

READ MORE ~ Kylian Mbappe to Man Utd: Ten Hag told cost of transfer with Jude Bellingham measure in place