Here are the Arsenal evening headlines for Tuesday July 7.
Dayot Upamecano’s summer plans revealed as defender plots exit
Dayot Upamecano intends to leave RB Leipzig this summer, according to L’Equipe .
Upamecano, 21, joined Leipzig from their sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2017 and has gone on to become one of the most coveted young defenders in Europe. Arsenal are believed to be interested in him as they attempt to overhaul their backline this summer.
The arrival of William Saliba will boost Mikel Arteta’s options at the back, and he is now hopeful of completing a deal for Upamecano too. According to L’Equipe, Upamecano is looking to leave Leipzig, but he would be unwilling to join a club at which he is not considered first-choice.
The 21-year-old is in the final year of his Leipzig deal, and the German club are eager to cash in on him now rather than lose him for nothing next summer.
Saliba loan decision u-turn
William Saliba may not have played his last game for Saint-Etienne, with Arsenal close to granting an extension to his loan deal.
Saliba agreed a move to Arsenal last summer but included in the deal was a loan back to Saint Etienne for the 2019/20 campaign.
That loan expired at the end of last month, but the French club still have to contest the French Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, leading to discussions about extending his stay.
Those talks broke down last month, with Saint-Etienne releasing a statement that called Arsenal’s proposed terms “absolutely unacceptable”.
Annoyed by that accusation, Arsenal responded with a statement of their own.
“As William is returning from injury, we asked that St Etienne follow a clear training plan with William in close collaboration with us, to ensure he is fully fit for the start of next season,” it read.
“To our surprise, we were unable to reach agreement to this plan which was proposed by our medical experts, and we are simply not prepared to risk the welfare of an Arsenal player.”
According to L’Equipe , the two clubs have reconvened and are now close to reaching an agreement.
Reports indicated Saliba was unhappy with the situation, with his mood in training convincing Arsenal to re-enter negotiations.
The inside story of Matteo Guendouzi’s Arsenal troubles and what Mikel Arteta has done
Matteo Guendouzi arrived at Arsenal with big hair and big potential.
The talented midfielder acquired from Lorient in Ligue 2 has shown glimpses of his quality at the Emirates, but it would now seem his time at the club is fast approaching an end.
A fall-out with Mikel Arteta is behind the issue, with Guendouzi’s conduct on the field of late also called into question.
How did it get like this? James Benge has chronicled Guendouzi’s situation and how the midfielder looks to be nearing the exit door so early into his Arsenal career.
