Transfer Gossip: Arsenal lock on to £50m Liverpool target as Arteta favourite agrees lucrative move; Newcastle to shatter record with £82m deal for ‘world’s best player’

Arsenal are ready to move for a £50m target with Thomas Partey agreeing a move to Saudi Arabia, Newcastle are flashing the cash with a £82m bid for a Serie A attacker, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims Barcelona are offering a top star in a swap deal with Man City.

THOMAS PARTEY TO LEAVE ARSENAL AS MIDFIELDER ‘AGREES MOVE’

Arsenal are ready to part ways with Thomas Partey after three seasons at Emirates Stadium, with the Ghanaian on the brink of agreeing a move.

The midfielder arrived in a £45m move from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, and has pretty much been a regular for Mikel Arteta ever since.

Indeed, he has made 99 appearances in all competitions, forming a solid midfield partnership with Granit Xhaka last season as Arsenal finished second.

However, Arteta has illustrated he is not afraid of making some tough decisions. And with Xhaka already leaving for Bayer Leverkusen, his midfield ally is also now set to move on.

To that end, Arteta has made clear he is willing to listen to offers for 30-year-old Partey, with two years left on his deal.

Now reports in Saudi Arabia claim Partey is on the brink of moving to the Saudi Pro League, with an unnamed club. To that end, Partey has reportedly agreed terms on a lucrative three-year deal in the Gulf State. And while it remains to be seen what sort of fee Arsenal can recoup for the midfielder, it is believed Arsenal are open to negotiation.

Now there is a growing belief that a deal will be struck before the end of the following week.

But it seems any incoming transfer funds for Partey will not be sat for long in the Arsenal coffers.

Arsenal to partner Rice with Liverpool target Romeo Lavia

And according to CBS Sport, Arsenal are ready to reignite their push to sign Southampton star Romeo Lavia.

The Belgian teenager enjoyed a brilliant season on a personal level. And while his efforts could not keep Saints in the Premier League, he himself is expected to secure an immediate return.

A move to Liverpool had looked the most likely option for Lavia. Jurgen Klopp’s interest in the former Man City academy star is well documented. However, with Liverpool having already seen a £35m offer rejected, Southampton are reportedly holding out for nearer £50m.

At that price, Klopp feels Lavia is simply too expensive.

However, Liverpool’s delay is likely to be Arsenal’s gain with Arteta and Co now readying a firm approach.

Like Liverpool, Arsenal also feel Lavia’s £50m fee is too high. However, middle ground could be reached with Arsenal reportedly readying an offer they hope will tempt Saints.

Per CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Lavia is Arsenal’s top target with nothing in links to Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni.

Liverpool’s interest in Lavia is also reportedly easing amid claims they are now back in the hunt to sign Sofyan Amrabat instead.

As for Arsenal, should the move go through, they will have a brand new dynamic central midfield partnership in the upcoming season with Rice and Lavia forming a brand new axis.

READ MORE ~ Recent Arsenal arrival has already emerged into Gunners ‘leader’; forward ‘absolutely’ not going anywhere

NEWCASTLE PLOT MASSIVE OFFER FOR KVARATSKHELIA

Newcastle are ready to make a massive play to bring Napoli sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to St James’ Park, according to reports.

The Magpies are back in the Champions League and have plenty of optimism that the 2023/24 season can prove their best in a generation.

Upwardly mobile under Eddie Howe, Newcastle also have plenty of cash to spend this summer.

So far, though, Newcastle have added Sandro Tonali to their midfield and made a signing for the future in Yankuba Minteh.

However, the best could be still to come with a deal for Napoli winger Kvaratskhelia now on the cards.

According to il Corriere dello Sport, Newcastle are bidding €95m (£82m) to bring the winger to St James’ Park.

The Georgian mesmerised last season, scoring 14 goals and adding 12 assists as Napoli won the Serie A title.

As a result, Napoli believe the 22-year-old is well on the way to becoming the best player in the world, valuing the star at around the €150m mark.

Now, though, Newcastle are testing Napoli’s resolve to hang on to their star man.

However, il Corriere dello Sport claims Napoli are yet to respond to the offer. Furthermore, they are planning for the new season with Kvaratskhelia in their ranks.

Their title-winning squad has already lost Kim Min-jae depart, with a move to Bayern Munich imminent. As such, president Aurelio De Laurentiis is in no mood to let another prized asset leave.

READ MORE: Harry Maguire roadblock causes Man Utd to be overtaken by Newcastle for top defender after ‘concrete talks’

BARCELONA OFFER STAR MAN IN SWAP DEAL FOR BERNARDO SILVA

Barcelona will this week reportedly make contact with Manchester City over a lucrative swap approach for Bernardo Silva.

The Portuguese star has been on Barca’s radar for some time, emerging as a Blaugrana target last summer. Ultimately, City’s asking price was deemed too costly for Barcelona to finance.

However, their interest in him has never waivered and now reports claim a fresh approach is on the agenda.

According to the Daily Mirror, Barcelona boss Xavi plans to tempt City by offering them Frenkie de Jong in a straight swap deal.

The Netherlands star has long been linked with Man Utd. Indeed, Erik ten Hag spent several weeks last summer trying to persuade him to move to Manchester.

That move ultimately failed, leaving United to instead sign Casemiro.

Now, De Jong could end up moving to the north-west – with City.

And they claim Barcelona are making Silva their top target, having already raided Man City for Ilkay Gundogan.

Both De Jong and Silva are rated in the £65m bracket. And that means no cash adjustments will need to change hands if the deal can be agreed.

Silva has also recently been linked with moves to PSG and Saudi Arabia.

The 28-year-old has been with Man City for six seasons now, scoring 55 times in 306 matches.

READ MORE: Guardiola in dreamland as double greenlight arrives for Man City to sign elite Walker replacement