Inter Milan eye Folarin Balogun as Mikel Arteta told new signing will "flop"
Arsenal have spent big this summer as they plot another Premier League title push under Mikel Arteta next season.
The Gunners finished second behind Manchester City last season, but led the way for much of the campaign and have forked out more than £200m on new signings in a bid to go one better. Declan Rice has joined from West Ham for a British record £105m fee, while £65m was spent on Kai Havertz.
Defender Jurrien Timber has also joined from Ajax for £38.5m, while the likes of William Saliab and Reiss Nelson have both signed new long-term contracts. Several other incomings and outgoings are also expected, so here are the latest rumours from the Emirates.
Inter plot Balogun swoop
Inter Milan are eyeing a move for Folarin Balogun, having pulled out of a deal to try and re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
Inter are looking to sign a new striker this summer and the Athletic report that they have held talks with Balogun's representatives over a potential move to the San Siro. The report states that a 'bid of around €40million (£34.3m) is expected to arrive', but Arsenal value him at £50m.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Balogun himself has urged Arsenal to either play him or sell him, insisting he "definitely won't go on loan again", while Arteta hinted he could be sold this summer. Speaking after a pre-season friendly against Nurnberg, Arteta said: "He's just staying here with us at the moment and we will see what happens."
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Gremio star Bitello is on Arsenal's radar (Richard Ducker/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Gunners face Bitello competition
Gremio president Alberto Guerra has admitted several clubs are interested in signing midfielder Bitello, but none of them have made an official bid yet.
Guerra's comments come after reports from Brazil claimed that Arsenal were interested in the 23-year-old, having sent scouts to watch him in action. However, it appears the Gunners will face competition for Bitello's signature.
"There are a lot of people watching Bitello, but there is no proposal, even to reassure our fans, at the moment," Guerra told Rede Sul. Ligue 1 side Monaco could be among those clubs "watching Bitello", with French outlet Foot Mercato claiming last month they were also interested in signing him.
Kia Havertz left Chelsea to join Arsenal (Getty Images)Arteta told Havertz will "flop"
Jamie O'Hara has predicted that Havertz "will be a flop at Arsenal" following his £65m move from Chelsea.
O'Hara, who previously played for Arsenal's rivals Tottenham, slammed the signing while responding to comments from former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Wenger believes Arsenal will win the Premier League next season after signing Havertz, Timber and Rice, but O'Hara is not convinced.
"They've still got a long way to go," he said on talkSPORT. "Teams are all improving this season, everyone's improving. Kai Havertz... he can't hit a barn door. He wasn't good enough [at Chelsea ] so they got rid of him. I'm telling you now, Havertz will be a flop at Arsenal."
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