Your morning Arsenal transfer roundup on Saturday, June 10.
Edu plotting shock Chelsea £70m transfer swoop as Arsenal handed Real Madrid boost
Arsenal are monitoring Kai Havertz's situation at Chelsea after Real Madrid have seemingly backed out of making a move to sign the Germany international. Havertz has two years remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge but has shown no indication that he is willing to extend that deal.
The Argentine wants to sign a new striker at Stamford Bridge which could see Havertz be put up for sale by the club. The Blues are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £70million to allow the German to leave the club - a price that has put interested parties off from making a move to sign him.
Reports earlier this month claimed Havertz would be open to a move away from Chelsea following their dismal season which saw Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter sacked within the space of seven months of each other. According to Marca, Carlo Ancelotti's side have dropped their interest in the 23-year-old and will focus their attention on landing Tottenham striker Harry Kane instead.
This could allow Arsenal to have a free run at signing Havertz from their London rivals this summer. A report from The Telegraph has stated the Gunners are monitoring the German's situation with one other unnamed club interested in signing him.
Clubs are also aware of Chelsea’s need and desire to sell players this summer, which means the Blues must decide whether or not to lower their asking price for Havertz or risk him running down his contract. The Telegraph's report adds that it is unlikely that Madrid or any other club that Havertz would be interested in joining will pay more than £50million for his signature this summer - leaving Chelsea with a huge decision to make.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice 'agrees terms', Caicedo £75m bid, Kai Havertz swoop
Mikel Arteta handed huge Arsenal transfer blow as Nicolas Pepe decision made after Nice loan
Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge transfer blow with OGC Nice opting against signing Arsenal loanee Nicolas Pepe on a permanent deal. The Ivorian winger spent the 2022/23 campaign on-loan in France - scoring eight goals and providing just one assist in 28 appearances.
The Gunners signed Pepe from Lille for a £72million fee back in 2019 but he has failed to repay that investment on the pitch and looks set to be sold this summer when he returns to the Emirates Stadium. Pepe meanwhile is no longer a part of Arteta's plans after being bombed out of the squad towards the end of the 2021/22 season.
Xavi Simons responds to Arsenal transfer interest with timeframe on future decision
Arsenal transfer target Xavi Simons has responded to rumours linking him with a move away from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch international is one of Europe's most exciting talents and has reportedly been offered to the Gunners ahead of the summer transfer window.
Simons enjoyed a superb first season in the Netherlands after signing for PSV on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. He scored 22 goals and assisted a further 12 in 48 games, helping them qualify for the Champions League next season.
PSV will likely demand a club record fee - which currently stands at £38.5m - should they decide to sanction a move for Simons. The Dutch giants have often been used as a conveyor belt of exquisite talent in recent years
"I don't know yet," he said when asked about his future. "I'm now with the Dutch national team, I'm going to work here for two weeks and then we'll see what happens. Soon we will decide together with family what is best for me."
READ NEXT:
Jack Wilshere makes huge Declan Rice to Arsenal claim as Mikel Arteta closes in on £92m transfer
Arsenal move one step closer to completing £120m Declan Rice transfer as West Ham bid prepared
