Transfer Gossip: Ten Hag optimistic on signings four and five as Man Utd finalise Lisandro Martinez deal; Arsenal looking to sign Brazil midfielder

Manchester United are growing in confidence that Frenkie de Jong and Antony will soon finalise moves, Arsenal are back on the trail for a Brazilian midfielder, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea are closing on another huge signing.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ DEAL DONE, FRENKIE DE JONG NEXT FOR MAN UTD

Manchester United are well underway with signings No 4 and 5, having wrapped up a full agreement for Lisandro Martinez.

The Ajax defender has been on Erik ten Hag’s wishlist all summer – and his imminent arrival has already been confirmed by the club.

He will ultimately cost the club a staggering £55m once bonuses and add-ons are included.

The Argentina centre-half joins Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia at Old Trafford so far this summer. But with three down, Ten Hag still hopes to sign two more to complete what would be a solid summer for United.

As for who’s next, the club are reportedly more confident than ever that their long-protracted efforts over Frenkie de Jong are finally set to bear fruit.

His signing has been one of the most complex in recent history, with both Barcelona and De Jong proving incredibly stubborn.

Indeed, rumours in Catalonia suggest De Jong has no interest in joining United. However, the Daily Express believes the player is ‘willing’ to leave for Old Trafford. Furthermore, the owed wages Barcelona still owe De Jong are seemingly now the only factor holding up the transfer.

The Dutch midfielder is still owed some £17m in deferred wages. However, after releasing some cash thanks to an TV rights sale, he should soon receive what he is owed.

And despite heading off on their USA tour, a deal to take him to Old Trafford may soon be announced.

Antony will be final summer signing for Man Utd

Once the capture of De Jong is finalised, Manchester United still hope to sign Antony from Ajax.

The Brazilian revelled under De Jong at Ajax, scoring eight goals and clocking up four assists from 23 Eredivisie appearances last term.

Now the 22-year-old has decided he wants out, with Ten Hag making it clear he wishes to reunite with Antony.

Ajax winger Antony pushing for Premier League move

Antony wants to leave Ajax this summer with a transfer to the Premier League to Chelsea or Manchester United most likely

Ajax reportedly value the player at around the £70m mark. However, United will try and negotiate that fee down. Still, he looks set to become one of their costliest signings of all time. Indeed, only Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho will have cost more.

But Ten Hag is resolute in his push to sign him and talks will gather pace now a deal for Martinez has been secured.

Any deal for Antony will take United’s summer spending soaring towards the £190m mark in the process.

ARSENAL BACK IN FOR ARTHUR MELO

Arsenal are ready to reactive their interest in signing Arthur Melo, according to reports.

The Gunners were in pursuit of the Juventus man back in January, only for a deal to stall late in the day. At the time, Arsenal wanted Arthur on an 18-month loan, a move the Bianconeri were ultimately unwilling to sanction.

However, Mikel Arteta is yet to strengthen his central midfield options – and is now ready to turn back towards Arthur.

The Gunners are also looking at Youri Tielemans. But as a deal for the Belgian continues to drag on, it seems Arthur is back on their radar.

As per Italian football reporter Giacomo Iacobellis, a deal to bring Arthur to Arsenal is now taking shape. And he will be granted permission to skip Juve’s USA tour next week to finalise the transfer.

He claims talks are ongoing between all parties and that an agreement may soon be reached. Furthermore, he states that the player – as he was in January – is keen on moving to north London.

Roma are also keen on a deal for Arthur. However, his preference appears to be Arsenal, where the Gunners already boast a strong Brazilian contingent.

Were he to sign, Arthur would join Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli as the fifth Brazilian in their ranks.

CHELSEA CLOSING ON JULES KOUNDE DEAL

Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the signing of Jules Kounde in a deal that could cost in excess of £60m.

The France defender has been on their radar for over a year, with Thomas Tuchel extremely keen on his signing. Sevilla’s price tag was too high last summer. But with Chelsea now desperate to bring in new centre-halves, their interest in a deal has grown.

Now it seems they are closing on his signing – with the news giving them some revenge over Barcelona for Raphinha.

However, Tuchel has made no secret of his wish to bolster his defence and will regard the signing of Kounde as a major victory.

Now Spanish football journalist Manuel Sainz expects the Blues to finalise his signing next week.

Sainz explained: “Kounde is very close to being transferred to Chelsea.

“Except for a radical change, the English club hopes that the agreement will be closed next week. Xavi spoke with the player and convinced him to go to Barca, but Chelsea bets more strongly.”

It remains to be seen if a deal for Kounde will be their final defensive signing of the summer. The Blues are confirmed a £34m deal for Kalidou Koulibaly on Saturday, with the Senegal star naming the two Chelsea men who convinced him to sign.