The international break is coming to an end, and that means that club football is on its way back; and with it, the end of the season nears.
There are only three and a half months until the summer window opens, and clubs will be forming their strategy and Arsenal said to be at an advanced stage already.
However with some prospective transfers the Gunners might already be falling behind but there is also plenty of hope around for the future.
Here are the latest updates and rumours for the players Arsenal have been linked with.
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Samuel Umtiti/David Alaba
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba are reportedly at the top of Unai Emery’s transfer wishlist this summer.
The Arsenal manager is targeting five players to bring in this summer, according to the Independent , and the club supposedly believe that deals can be done for both defenders.
Umtiti has fallen behind Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet in the pecking order at Barcelona, and the Spanish giants are also looking likely to bring in Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. Bayern, meanwhile, are attempting to bring about a large squad overhaul in the close season, and will need to shift some players to bring in some money.
Other reports claim the Gunners have opened talks with Barca for Umtiti, but all might not be well in this transfer.
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Joan Jordan
Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Eibar midfielder Joan Jordan.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form this season, and Marca say he is one of the “best placed” candidates to replace the departing Aaron Ramsey in the summer.
Jordan’s contract expires in 2020, and he currently has a €15m release clause. He’s a central midfielder who can also operate on the wing - Unai Emery could perhaps target him instead of Denis Suarez, who has failed to impress since his loan move in January.
Eibar are reportedly wary of losing the Spanish player for free next season, so are willing to negotiate his sale this year.
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Ander Herrera
Manchester United are reportedly confident that Ander Herrera will stay at the club, despite interest from Arsenal and PSG with his current contract expiring at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old has been a key part of the team since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to Old Trafford, and United believe that Herrera wants to stay in Manchester.
However, the board’s decision to sign Alexis Sanchez on a huge contract last year has complicated further renewals within the squad, with the likes of David de Gea also yet to sign a new deal.
Herrera currently earns around £100,000 per week, but Metro state that negotiations over a new deal are worth an extra £70,000 per week. They state that Herrera has been “privately dismayed” over the club’s prioritising of contract talks with other squad members in the last year, particularly with those who were not in the last year of their deals.
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