Jonas Eidevall offers Arsenal transfer update amid England World Cup star links

08 September 2023 , 15:03

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Arsenal Women's Head Coach Jonas Eidevall (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Jonas Eidevall has said Arsenal "remain active" in the transfer market with less than a week to go until the WSL summer window shuts.

Reports indicate the Gunners have had a bid rejected for England keeper Mary Earps by Manchester United. Earps has one year remaining on her deal at United, with next Thursday's deadline day looming into view.

Arsenal have already swooped to sign Earps' England teammate Alessia Russo from United earlier this summer. Jonas Eidevall has also added defenders Amanda Ilestedt and Laia Codina as well as Canadian forward Cloe Lacasse.

Although the Arsenal boss declined to comment on Earps, or any individual, specifically, he said their business was not necessarily complete. Arsenal are in Sweden where they face Paris FC in a Champions League qualifier on Saturday.

Before the tie Eidevall said: "We remain active in the transfer market. There might be business to be done, but no comment on that specific individual."

Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd

Previously, on Wednesday, the Gunners boss had spoken about Arsenal being "in the market for a right-back and maybe one other position as well."

Earps' performances at the World Cup have cemented her position as the best goalkeeper in women's football. They have also earned her a world-record bid for a women’s goalkeeper from Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal last week.

The initial bid was rejected, but Arsenal could come back with an improved offer before next Friday. They made two world record bids last season for Russo on January deadline day, which United rejected before the forward moved after her contract expired in June.

Arsenal got through the semi-final of their qualifying round, with a 3-0 success over Sweden’s Linkoping on Wednesday. And victory against Paris will ensure they progress to the final round of qualifying, gaining a shot at the Champions League group stage. The win over Linkoping also saw Beth Mead and Kim Little return to the squad after their injury troubles last season.

Caitlin Foord (2nd from right) celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal

"I definitely think that’s a positive momentum," added Eidevall. "In getting players returning. Then I always think, and we see that with Beth here now, when she’s in the training environment, it’s not as black and white as you just go back and you return to play.

"When you’ve been away a long time you also need to find your rhythm again, you need to find your form again, and that’s going to be individual for all players."

Jack Lacey-Hatton