Euro Paper Talk: Arsenal send Euro giants into ‘disarray’ with Arteta transfer ‘blitz’ for 25-goal Champions League hero; Liverpool chiefs in Portugal to complete £52m signing

Mikel Arteta is planning a transfer ‘blitz’ to sign a devastating Champions League star for Arsenal and get them above Manchester City next season, Liverpool officials have travelled to Portugal to scout a player one last time before landing him, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Chelsea ‘really want’ a Serie A player.

ARSENAL IN ATTACKING REVAMP

Gabriel Jesus’ place in Arsenal’s starting eleven could come under threat this summer as Arteta is hoping to bring in a top-class Serie A centre-forward, according to a report.

Jesus has been excellent during his debut campaign at the Emirates. While his record of 10 goals and seven assists does not sound breathtaking, the Brazilian has made up for it with his great link-up play and his ability to make the attackers around him better.

Jesus’ performances have been vital to Arsenal topping the Premier League table for most of the season. However, Arteta will have to make some changes this summer as the Gunners have just come up short to Man City.

His main focus will be on the midfield, with Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo both set to be targeted. After the midfield has been bolstered, Arteta could then turn his attention to centre-forward.

While Jesus has proven himself to be an important player for Arsenal, Arteta may look to bring in someone who is more lethal in front of goal but can also help in the build-up play, just like Jesus.

And according to Italian source Inter Live, Lautaro Martinez has emerged on Arsenal’s radar.

Martinez may have struggled for Argentina at the World Cup, but he has been in sensational form for Inter Milan this term. He has managed 25 goals and 10 assists in 52 games, with 20 of those strikes coming in Serie A.

After failing to score in the first leg of Inter’s Champions League semi-final with rivals AC Milan, which ended in a 2-0 win for the Nerazzurri, Martinez made his mark on the tie in the second leg. He increased Inter’s advantage to 3-0 in the 74th minute by beating Mike Maignan at his near post, a goal which confirmed Inter’s spot in the Champions League final.

Gunners willing to ‘do everything’ to land Martinez

But that may be the last match he plays in an Inter shirt. Inter Live report that Arsenal have been seriously impressed by Martinez’s recent displays and have landed on him as an ideal striker signing.

They are being tipped to go on a transfer ‘blitz’ for the 25-year-old, as they will ‘do everything’ to ensure his arrival in North London. Presumably, this means Arsenal will submit a huge offer that Inter cannot refuse.

And the report has shed some light on how much Arsenal will have to bid for reach an agreement with their Italian counterparts. The UCL finalists would be in ‘disarray’ if Arsenal offered €80m (£70m) for Martinez.

It remains to be seen if Martinez’s capture would be enough for Arsenal to get the better of City in the Prem title race next season. After all, Pep Guardiola can rely on goal machine Erling Haaland.

However, Martinez scoring more goals than Jesus will only help Arsenal as they look to go one better in the Prem next time around.

LIVERPOOL GETTING CLOSER TO MIDFIELD SNARE

Jurgen Klopp has sent Liverpool scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte in action against Benfica on Sunday. Reds officials will then get to work on a €60m (£52m) deal for the Uruguayan, who is also being pursued by Aston Villa. (Correio de Manha)

Manchester United will attempt to sign Manu Kone from Borussia Monchengladbach this summer. The France U21 international could form a midfield partnership with Casemiro next season. (RMC Sport)

Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva says he will try to help his club win the treble before ‘seeing what happens’ in the summer window. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both monitoring his situation. (various)

Granit Xhaka’s move back to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen is ‘all but done’. Leverkusen will pay €15m (£13m) for him, despite Arsenal originally wanting to receive double that. (Kicker)

Borussia Dortmund will try to tie goalkeeper Gregor Kobel down to a new contract in an attempt to put Man Utd and Chelsea off bidding for him. (Bild)

Newcastle are prepared to pay €80m (£70m) for former Leeds winger Raphinha, and this is enough for Barcelona to sign off on his exit. (Sport)

CHELSEA HOPE TO SOLVE PROBLEM POSITION

Chelsea ‘really want’ Andre Onana to become their new keeper amid Mauricio Pochettino’s doubts over Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy. However, Inter have rejected all of their advances so far. (Inter Live)

Xabi Alonso has insisted he will remain in charge of Leverkusen, despite rumours he may take charge of Tottenham. (various)

Bayern Munich have struck up shock interest in Arsenal target and West Ham captain Declan Rice. Such a move would allow Thomas Tuchel to play Joshua Kimmich further forward. (Bild)

Milan could steal Daichi Kamada from Borussia Dortmund’s clutches. The playmaker is preparing to leave Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)

The contract offers sent to Lionel Messi from Saudi Arabian clubs have increased from €400m to €500m (£435m). (Cadena Ser)

City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will make a decision on his future ‘imminently’. City hope to extend his contract, but Arsenal and Barca are both showing an interest. (Alfredo Martinez)

NEWCASTLE COULD MAKE DOUBLE TURKISH SIGNING

Arda Guler is not the only Fenerbahce man Newcastle want, as they are also aiming to bring in his team-mate Ferdi Kadioglu. (Aksam)

Diego Llorente is likely to return to Leeds this summer as loan club Roma have opted to sign Evan Ndicka as his replacement. (Corriere dello Sport)

Mateu Alemany has completed a U-turn on his Aston Villa switch as the West Midlands side cannot go through with the ambitious signings they initially promised him. (Sport)

Former defender Daniele Adani has urged Inter’s backline to sit deep and not get too close to Erling Haaland in the UCL final, in order to prevent the City man getting in behind them. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

French side Nantes are hopeful of making Patrick Vieira their new manager following his sacking by Crystal Palace earlier this season. (L’Equipe)

Sadio Mane aims to stay at Bayern and turn his fortunes around there. This means he will reject a potential return to England with either Man Utd or Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano)