Transfer Gossip: Arsenal plan five outstanding signings as Edu ‘takes the lead’ for £64m France star; Man Utd plan incredible £60m raid on Aston Villa

Arsenal are hoping to pull off five big signings, with a £64m-rated France attacker now in their sights, Manchester United are chasing a 16-goal Aston Villa star, while Saturday’s Transfer Gossip reveals talks between Man City and Bayern Munich over a wantaway star.

GUNNERS LOOK TO SECURE RICE AND HAVERTZ THIS WEEK

Arsenal are hoping to wrap up two signings this week as their bid to bring in both Declan Rice and Kai Havertz gathers pace.

The Gunners are looking to quickly bolster their squad this summer, having gone close to the title in the season just gone. Topping the table for most of the campaign, they were ultimately worn down by a relentless Manchester City.

However, plans are taking shape to ensure Arsenal will be in the mix for trophy success again. And with the club back in the Champions League for the first time since 2017, the Gunners are ready to seriously splash the cash.

First up – and their No 1 target of the summer – is Rice. The Gunners’ first offer of around £90m has been rejected by West Ham, who know that a bidding auction could ensue with City and Manchester United also keen.

However, they hope a second offer – this time worth £100m – will do the trick. According to The Sun, however, questions though will be raised over how Arsenal finance the deal.

Alongside him, Arsenal are also now at the front of the queue for Romeo Lavia. The player has been cleared to leave Southampton following relegation and the 19-year-old will reportedly cost around £45m. Liverpool and Chelsea are also among his suitors but both are reportedly chasing other targets instead.

The Gunners also hope to wrap up a busy week by finalising a deal for Havertz.

Their first offer has been rejected by Chelsea, but with the player keen on the move, there is a belief an agreement can soon be reached.

Arsenal push for Moussa Diaby signing

Arsenal are also reportedly set to make a firm move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby this week.

The 23-year-old attacker boasts incredible stats for the Bundesliga side, having scored 49 times, adding 43 assists from 172 appearances. That amounts to a goal contribution every 1.8 appearances.

Capped 10 times by France, the former PSG man finds himself in high demand this summer with Newcastle among those keen.

However, L’Equipe claims Arsenal, led by Edu’s express wish to sign the star, have now ‘taken the lead’ for his signature over the past few weeks.

Capable of playing off either wing, he would provide the cover for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli that Mikel Arteta is looking for.

Bayer, for their part, are reportedly open to his sale but are only considering offers in the region of £64m (€75m).

Edu will hope for quick closure on all four of those targets for Arsenal this summer.

However, the Gunners could well kick-off their summer business with the astute signing of Timothy Castagne.

The Belgian has been cleared to leave Leicester, with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Juventus also keen.

But it is the Gunners in the driving seat, with the 27-year-old seemingly open to a move.

“I’ll see what happens in the future,” Castagne said at a press conference.

“A decision will be made. It’s delicate, of course. You could wait for a top club to arrive, but what if it doesn’t come? I’m not thinking about that yet.”

READ MORE: Kai Havertz is a marginal gain for Arsenal when they need giant leaps forward

BAYERN MUNICH TARGET SIGNING OF KYLE WALKER

Bayern Munich are discussing a potential swoop on Manchester City for Kyle Walker.

The Bundesliga champions are drawing up a list of potential successors to Benjamin Pavard, who has been cleared to leave.

And according to the Daily Mail, Thomas Tuchel has made England star Walker his No 1 target.

The 33-year-old has one year left on his Manchester City contract and talks over a move away are gathering pace. Indeed, his hometown club Sheffield United, as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia, are among those considering a swoop.

And after not starting as often for City as he would like, it seems a parting of ways is on the cards. And after starting on the bench in the Champions League final, Walker now reportedly feels the time is right to leave.

Speaking after winning the Champions League, Walker said: “The lads dug deep. I got a silver medal last time, so to have a gold one is fantastic.

“I am living the dream. My mum and dad were in the stands. Where I come from in Sheffield it’s not easy for them to be here. I remember when mum didn’t have a pound for the ice cream van. I’m so thankful.

“I am over the moon and very rarely speechless but my dream has just come true. To achieve this with this club, after everything they have done for all of us over the years, to win the Treble is unbelievable.”

However, a move to Bayern now looks most likely. The Mail claims the two clubs are now in talks over the deal though are yet to agree on a fee.

Walker has won 12 trophies, including five Premier League titles, since arriving from Tottenham in 2016.

READ MORE: Man City ‘working hard’ on record-breaking deal for Bundesliga colossus; talks scheduled ‘next week’

MAN UTD KEEN ON ASTON VILLA STAR

Manchester United are now looking at a possible raid on Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins, per a report.

The Red Devils are desperate to add more firepower this summer as they bid to mount a push for Premier League glory.

Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are too difficult and expensive to sign. As a result, Manchester United are looking at a series of other striker, with Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos among their options.

However, The Athletic claims United could look a little closer to home with Villa striker Watkins now an option.

Watkins has two years left on his deal at Aston Villa and talks over an extension have been going on for some time.

And with an agreement unsigned, United are reportedly looking to swoop in.

Any deal, however, will not be easy with Villa under no financial pressure and not looking to sell the player. However, if United make a firm approach and if Watkins pushes to make the move, then a deal may happen. The striker carries a £60m asking price.

Watkins has been in sparkling form for Villa, scoring 16 goals and adding six assists in the season just finished.

READ MORE: Man Utd man told to ditch Ten Hag for Postecoglou project and show ‘unbelievable’ talent at Tottenham