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Football London
Football London
Sport
Will Freeman

Arsenal battling Man United for £13m bargain transfer as William Saliba fate 'already decided'

With the news that Mikel Arteta has signed a new deal with the Gunners, eyes will be turning to the next transfer window to see what the Spaniard has planned alongside technical director Edu. The Arsenal manager reportedly has a long list of striking targets, with Tammy Abraham and Gabriel Jesus thought to be top targets.

However, due to the lack of depth in the position, the club could be looking towards some cheaper targets for the backup role to a big money signing as the club prepares for a potential Champions League campaign next term.

Here we take a look at some of the day's transfer news:

ALSO READ: Victor Osimhen makes Arsenal transfer decision amid Manchester United links

Man United to rival Gunners for Ekitike

According to ESPN, Arsenal are looking to target Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, 19, this summer following an impressive season for the youngster in Ligue 1. Sources claim that a deal was also on the table in January as Chelsea and Newcastle were also linked with the teenager, who has nine goals in 22 games this season.

However, a new option has now emerged for the youngster, with new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag ready to make a move, according to the reports.

Current interim boss Ralf Rangnick has highlighted the club's need to sign strikers in this summer's transfer window, but with a starting spot unlikely, a potential £13m bargain move to the Gunners with the chance to play Champions League football could be appealing.

Merson says Arsenal already know Saliba fate

Many Arsenal fans have been excited by the prospect of William Saliba returning to the club after an impressive season on loan at Marseille, his third spell away since joining the club. He reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals with Marseille and looks a promising prospect, but former Gunner and pundit Paul Merson says he expects a move away for the centre-back this month.

In his Daily Star column, Merson suggested that there must be a reason that he has been loaned out successive times, as well as suggesting that the star could have been 'ripped in training'. He explained: "William Saliba is running out of time to prove himself at Arsenal and I think he could be sold this summer.

"There must be a reason he's been loaned out three times by the club. Was he getting ripped in training? I don't see why he's still on loan otherwise. Arsenal paid a lot of money for him, but I think if anyone offers them their money back they would take it right now.

"It's almost three years he's been there now and he can't get a look-in. Maybe Mikel Arteta has watched him train and decided he's nowhere near ready. But if that's the case, Arsenal are going to need another centre-back this summer because you can't rely on Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Rob Holding."

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