Transfer Gossip: Arsenal to snatch £34m defender as whirlwind Man Utd deal sees move collapse; Fulham close on Wolves, Chelsea stars

Arsenal are ready to snatch a target from under Manchester United noses, Fulham are nearing an exciting double deal, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims Everton are in advanced talks over a deal for a striker Atalanta see as Rasmus Hojlund’s replacement.

MIKEL ARTETA WANTS MAN UTD TARGET TO SIGN FOR ARSENAL

Arsenal are reportedly set to pounce for Axel Disasi in a move that will provide Mikel Arteta with even more competition at the heart of defence.

The Gunners came close to ending a 19-year wait for Premier League glory last season after stretching Man City all the way in the title race. Ultimately, Arsenal ran out of steam in the closing weeks of the season as injuries, together with a lack of squad cover, seemingly caught up on them.

Now Arteta, together with sporting director Edu, are determined that the same fate won’t befall them again.

To that end, the Gunners have moved swiftly to bolster their squad this summer. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have both arrived in deals that both gatecrash the top 10 most expensive Arsenal deals of all time.

And they have also brought in better quality in defence too, with Jurrien Timber signing from Ajax in a deal worth £38m.

Indeed, while Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are established as first-choice defensive pairing, a lack of quality alternatives there last season ultimately cost them dear.

Now Arteta is ready to move for a fourth option and another international star in Disasi.

The 25-year-old’s fine form for Monaco has seen him elevated into the France squad in recent times, the centre-half winning four caps and featuring at the 2022 World Cup.

And in impressing Raphael Varane, he has emerged as a very firm target for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd shelve plans in signing Axel Disasi

Indeed, they had reportedly already agreed personal terms with the star ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford this summer. And with Monaco willing to sell for a fee of €40m (£34m), United were expected to swoop in for Disasi.

However, Ten Hag’s plans have since changed. And with money tight, the United boss has decided to prioritise other areas of his side. To that end, he still wants to sign a new striker and another new midfielder first and foremost.

Furthermore, United have handed a temporary deal to Jonny Evans this summer already. Their former defender was a free agent after leaving Leicester and, after being invited to train at Carrington, quickly caught Ten Hag’s eyes.

In a whirlwind move, United have now given Evans a month-long deal to cover their pre-season programme. And, should the player impress, there is every chance he will be signed up on a season-long deal for the 2023/24 campaign.

As a result, and while he still remains a player shelve interest, Ten Hag has shelved his plans to sign Disasi for now.

That decision, however, will reportedly now allow Arsenal to beat United to the transfer.

And, according to The Sun, the Gunners are ready to ‘nip in’ and pinch his signing.

Should the deal go through, it will mean Arteta has five top-quality options at centre-half. As well as Saliba, Gabriel and Timber, the Gunners boss can also call upon £50m man Ben White, though he was played as right-back in the main last season.

READ MORE ~ Exclusive: Mohammed Kudus ‘ticks a lot of boxes’ for Arsenal and positive Ajax relationship could aid fourth summer signing

FULHAM READY TO SEAL EXCITING DOUBLE DEAL

Fulham are close to landing two Premier League stars with the addition of Raul Jimenez almost done.

The Cottagers are currently touring the USA and on Sunday night put in a fine performance to beat Brentford 3-2.

But the result was overshadowed by speculation on Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was left out of their starting line-up amid claims a move to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal.

Indeed, the Serbian striker has fallen out with the Cottagers after seeing two bids for his services rejected. And he was seen looking disinterested in the crowd and scrolling through his phone as Marco Silva’s side beat their London rivals in Philadelphia.

Now it seems that Fulham have relented and decided it best to cash in on the striker.

And in his place, the Cottagers are set to bring in Jimenez from Wolves.

The Mexican striker has struggled to replicate high highs of the 2019/20 season when he scored 27 goals.

And while slowed up by a serious head injury, he has only managed a total of 13 goals in the previous three campaigns.

Now, the 32-year-old is closing on a move to Fulham as Mitrovic’s successor.

The Cottagers are not stopping there, either.

And according to Fabrizio Romano, they are also battling with Lazio to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Chelsea have made it clear they are willing to sell the winger after ruling out another loan. And it seems the Cottagers are favourites with Silva’s decision to reject a move to Saudi Arabia likely to see the deal pushed through.

READ MORE: Ronaldo reunion possible for Man Utd star Ten Hag refuses to use as Fabrizio Romano reveals Fulham competition

EVERTON CHASE STRIKER ATALANTA WANT AS HOJLUND REPLACEMENT

Everton are in advanced talks to sign Almeria striker El Bilal Toure, according to a report.

The Toffees are desperate to add more firepower to their ranks and see a move for the Malian as a solution. Indeed, Everton’s tally of just 34 goals in 38 games last season was the second worst in the entire Premier League.

Now 21-year-old Toure is seen as a potential solution. He struck seven times in 21 games last season in LaLiga.

And with Arnaut Danjumma signing, Sean Dyche now wants another new addition in the 15-cap international.

Per the Daily Mail, Everton are in advanced discussions over a deal for Toure.

And the Toffees are looking to quickly wrap up a deal with the striker also on Atalanta’s wanted list.

Indeed, the Serie A giants are keen to land Toure as a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane is a big-money target for Manchester United despite Atalanta’s £86m valuation.

And while a deal will likely be struck for significantly less, the Italians hope the deal can be done so they can work on bringing in a possible replacement.

And Toure is the man they are reportedly ready to focus on.

However, Everton getting in there first could leave them with a problem, with a counter bid likely to be launched.

READ MORE: Everton confirm signing of Tottenham flop, as new arrival reveals three big reasons for Toffees ‘pull’