Here are the Arsenal morning headlines on Friday, May 22.
Arsenal in talks to sign Adrien Rabiot - reports
Juventus have placed midfielder Adrien Rabiot on the transfer list and Arsenal have entered negotiations to sign the £27 million man, according to Le10Sport (via the Mirror).
Arsenal have been keen on the Frenchman since his Paris Saint-Germain days, and although Rabiot only joined the Italian giants last summer on a free transfer he is said to be surplus to requirements now that Juventus wish to raise funds to bid for Paul Pogba.
Everton are also believed to be interested in Rabiot, who started just 11 Serie A games this season and has struggled to settle.
The 25-year-old would perhaps be a direct replacement for Dani Ceballos. The on-loan central midfielder could yet return to his parent club Real Madrid.
Arsenal set to lose out on centre-back
Chelsea are ahead of Arsenal in the queue to sign Hellas Verona centre-back Marash Kumbulla and are about to launch an £18 million bid for his services, according to Corriere dello Sport (via the Express).
The 20-year-old Albania international is one of Europe’s most promising young players and Mikel Arteta is said to be interested, but any move to Arsenal has been thrown into doubt after Chelsea stepped up their pursuit.
Kumbulla has started 18 games in Serie A this season and been a vital cog in Verona’s unexpected push for a place in next season’s Europa League.
Kluivert’s new position hints at unexpected Arsenal future
AS Roma’s Justin Kluivert could be set to join Arsenal this summer for £13 million plus Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to Corriere dello Sport (via Team Talk).
That might have surprised some Arsenal fans given that Kluivert has made a name for himself as a winger, a position in which the club are well stocked.
Kluivert has been converted into a second striker at Roma, playing just behind the main centre-forward to link the play like a number ten and make runs beyond his strike partner.
“In reality I like it [playing in a different role]. I’m in a slightly different position than before,” Kluivert said in April, per FOX Sports (via Football Italia). “I’m almost a 10 and now I am starting to better understand the requests of the coach.”
Mesut Ozil plays in this position for Arsenal, but with only 12 months left on the German’s contract his future at the Emirates is in doubt.
