Ornstein reveals ‘concrete interest’ from Arsenal in Man City star as he brings Rice, Mount latest
The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has revealed that Man City star Ilkay Gundogan is a target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are in the market for a couple of midfielders in the summer transfer window following a brilliant showing in the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side led the way for most of the campaign but some poor results over the last month or so saw Man City beat them to the title.
When asked recently about his summer transfer business, Arteta insisted that the club have to “absolutely nail it” in the market to be competitive again next year.
Arteta said: “When you get closer to the top then the margins are smaller. And whether it makes you win or lose, it’s minimal, and it changes. It’s a penalty that goes in or out, and then the decision changes in that moment.
“Having 3-4 injuries or having a full squad in key moments defines a season. So what we have ahead of us in the summer is extremely important and we have to absolutely nail it.”
And now Ornstein has an update on a number of their key objectives for the summer transfer market with improving their midfield options “a priority”.
West Ham’s Declan Rice – who has one year left on his contract with the club holding an option to extend it by 12 months – remains their “main target” for the upcoming window, while Arsenal also want to “add creativity in a more advanced position”.
Chelsea’s Mason Mount has been heavily linked with a number of clubs and Arsenal will face “strong competition” from Liverpool and Man Utd for his signature.
Ornstein adds that Arsenal are “determined to sign” Rice and Mount but the Gunners made need a third signing if Granit Xhaka leaves to join Bayer Leverkusen with recent reports claiming a deal was ‘advanced’.
And that third signing could be Man City midfielder Gundogan with his future at the club currently up in the air as he remains undecided whether to remain at City or look for pastures new.
Ornstein insists that Arsenal “hold a concrete interest in Gundogan and Arteta is driving it” as he looks to add another City star to his ranks after signing Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.
The Spanish manager sees Gundogan as the “ideal replacement” for Xhaka if he leaves but “no agreements have been reached and the situation is still open”.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs claims that Arsenal are looking to sign Rice for “under £100m” with West Ham looking for a big amount of the fee upfront.
Jacobs wrote on Twitter: “Declan Rice scores on what is expected to be his last home game for West Ham. Arsenal still frontrunners and remain hopeful a deal can be done for under £100m. It won’t just be about price, but structure. West Ham will try for a large amount upfront.”
When asked why West Ham would want a big chunk up front, Jacobs added: “If they agree to a ‘lower’ fee (it will still be decent) it will be because they get a healthy guaranteed, with preferable payment terms, and that tends to allow a club to move freely in the market. A bigger fee isn’t always as helpful if the structure it’s paid is less preferable.”
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