Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Monday June 15.
Arsenal "cannot afford" to lose Saka
Ian Wright has spoken of the ongoing contract situation with Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka, saying the club have to do everything possible to encourage him to renew - but the player’s representatives are also doing their part.
The talented winger, who has shone at left-back this season too, has been an increasingly influential figure amid some disappointing displays from senior players in 2019/20, both before and since Mikel Arteta’s appointment.
But with just one year left on his deal, the club are growing anxious at the possibility of losing Saka.
"They cannot afford to let a player like this leave,” Wright said, per football.london ’s live updates.
“When you look at what Callum Hudson-Odoi has done and he’s a year younger.
"I believe he will sign but I do think him and his reps are doing the right thing by dragging it out to get the best deal they can."
Partey set for Atletico exit
One of the players the Gunners have been heavily linked with on the incoming side of the transfer market is Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
He was a starter again at the weekend as Atleti got their LaLiga campaign up and running with a draw against Athletic Club, but Cadena COPE journalist Antonio Ruiz says that some inside the Spanish club already see him as gone - and that Arsenal are “best-placed” to secure a deal for him.
There are various clubs interested in the midfielder, says the report, but the Premier League is his most likely destination.
His release clause is €50million and, despite Atleti’s best efforts, they have been unable to agree a renewal to increase that fee.
Cavani is ideal Auba replacement for Bent
Arsenal are still hoping that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will decide to stay and sign a new contract, but there’s a free transfer forward available to replace him this summer in the eyes of Darren Bent.
That’s PSG’s Edinson Cavani, says the former Spurs man - at least as a short-term replacement.
“I’d probably take the next six weeks and try and convince him to stay,” Bent said to talkSPORT, “but if towards the end of that six weeks you can’t convince him then you’ve got to try and get as much money as you can [for him].
“And I’d look to maybe replace him with somebody who will be Arsenal’s centre-forward for the next five/ten years.
"But if that person isn’t out there then I’d look at someone like [Edinson] Cavani, who is coming out of contract now at PSG.”
Bent feels Cavani could be the link between Aubameyang as first choice and a player like Gabriel Martinelli being the starter, as the Brazilian continues to learn his trade.
