Arsenal Transfer News LIVE updates: Wenger on £300m Neymar, Barca contact, £46m Lemar bid

ARSENAL transfer news is starting to heat up as they eye Thomas Lemar - Express Sport brings you all the latest on the summer window at the Emirates.

Target Thomas Lemar's stunning Monaco highlight reel

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: All the latest from the Emirates on comings and goings in Arsene Wenger's squad...

Saturday July 29

Wenger coy on Thomas Lemar 

22:00: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to discuss speculation linking Arsenal with Thomas Lemar.

He said: "We don’t speak about how the negotiations go. We come out once the player is done or not done. 

"I can’t tell you that. But at the moment there is nothing special to say in this case."

Arsene Wenger's transfer pursuit

20:30: Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal are still actively pursuing new signings.

He said: "We are still active in the transfer market in general. 

Alexis Sanchez to stay 

19:00: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has once again said Alexis Sanchez will be staying at the club.

He said: "There's no development - he is staying, of course."

Wenger on Neymar and Mbappe

13:45: Arsene Wenger his hit out at the “huge inflation” of transfer fees in the summer window.

Arsenal have broken their transfer record to sign Alexandre Lacazette.

But they saw an £87m bid for Kylian Mbappe rejected.

And Wenger says it’s difficult to get the men he wants because of the fees involved

"What’s next is to remain active," he said on Arsenal’s website. "Not a lot [has] happened.

"I believe there are actually two ways to improve the team. First of all to improve the quality of what we do in training to improve the squad and improve the players we have, and secondly to bring more top-level players in. 

"The difficulty is to bring top-level players in because you pay a huge amount of money for very normal players at the moment. As well, all the big clubs are chasing the same players and that provokes huge inflation. Maybe this will be the first time we [football clubs] pay over £200m, maybe over £300m with Neymar and around £200m with Mbappe. 

"So there is a huge inflation. But we are active, we are working hard and I think we have done well with Kolasinac, we have done well with Lacazette and we are continuing to work.”

Man City's Bravo on Sanchez

10:00: Claudio Bravo says he will welcome Alexis Sanchez if he joins the goalkeeper at Manchester City.

Sanchez’s Arsenal contract expires next summer and he wants to leave the club.

Arsenal don’t want to let him go but a £50m fee is supposedly enough to convince the Gunners to sell up.

“If he decides to go, we’ll wait for him with open arms at City,” Bravo told Chilean broadcaster 24 Horas.

Manchester City line up huge contract for Alexis Sanchez

01:00: Alexis Sanchez is in line for a whopping deal if he leaves Arsenal for Manchester City, reports claim.

Sanchez is in the final year of his contract at Arsenal, although both parties have reached a deadlock over a new deal.

The Chilean has been strongly linked with a summer move away from the Emirates, with Manchester City potential suitors.

And the Daily Mail claim City are willing to pay Sanchez a staggering £320,000-a-week.

The wages, it is said, will be topped up by performance-related bonuses.

Friday July 28

Marseille still in Olivier Giroud hunt

22:30: Marseille aren't giving up on signing Olivier Giroud, reports claim.

A move to Everton has been discussed, and while the Toffees re-signed Wayne Rooney, another No.9 is on Ronald Koeman's agenda to compensate for the loss of Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United.

Marseille have been touted as a possible destination for Giroud, who looks to rejuvenate his career.

And now according to French paper L'Equipe, they haven't given up hope on Giroud.

The report suggests they are still keen on a deal and the sports director has already tried to establish contact with Gunners chiefs over a summer transfer.

Alexis SanchezGETTY

Manchester City want to sign Alexis Sanchez

Jakub Jankto's agent confirms Arsenal want to sign client

21:50: Arsenal are weighing up a summer move to sign Udinese midfielder Jakub Jankto, according to his agent.

The Gunners were considering a move for Jankto back in April, and had scouts to run the rule over him several times last season.

And now his agent, Beppe Riso, has confirmed Arsenal are in the mix for his signature.

"Arsenal like him, he's a lover of English football, and he's also liked by Juve, Inter and other teams," Riso told Sportitalia.

"Do I see him more in the Premier League than other leagues? Yes.

Sanchez must be sold - Smith

21.30: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been told to sell contract rebel Alexis Sanchez by former striker Alan Smith.

Wenger is adamant Sanchez will not be allowed to leave but Smith believes the board will want to cash in on Sanchez to prevent him leaving on a free next year.

“If you’ve got an unhappy player, a bit like (Philippe) Coutinho at Liverpool if he desperately wants to go to Barcelona, that’s not a great situation to have in the dressing room," Smith said on talkSPORT.

"It happens time and time again at Arsenal. What the owners would think about keeping a player you could get £60m for and then letting him go for nothing in 12 months time, I don’t know.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer, you’ve got to let him go, get the money and move on."

Monaco want more for Lemar

20.35: Monaco want Arsenal to make a higher offer for their winger Thomas Lemar, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Monaco say Lemar is not for sale but Sheth claims their stance is to make Arsenal offer more than they currently have

"Despite Monaco's insistence that he stays at the club, we understand Arsenal maintain a keen interest in the player," Sheth said on Sky Sports News.

"It's thought talks between the clubs continue. Monaco's not for sale stance has been seen in some quarters as a way to encourage Arsenal to make a higher offer. 

"Perhaps we haven't heard the last of Thomas Lemar in this window."

Mahrez, not Barkley - Smith

19.30: Arsenal have been told to sign Leicester star Riyad Mahrez instead of Everton's wantaway midfielder Ross Barkley by former striker Alan Smith.

Both Mahrez and Barkley have been linked with moves to the Gunners this summer.

Smith believes Mahrez, who won the Premier League with Leicester two years ago, would be the better signing for his old team.

“I’d say [Arsenal should go after] Mahrez more than Barkley," Smith said on talkSPORT.

“I think he’s more of a match winner and he’s a more mature player.

Everton need patience over Giroud

19:11: Everton must be patient if they want to sigh Olivier Giroud this summer.

Giroud’s Arsenal future is far from secure but the Gunners are yet to decide whether or not he can leave.

Marseille have already backed out of a deal for the striker because of Arsenal’s indecision.

And L’Equipe claim other suitors, with Everton favourites to sign him, must wait to see what happens to Arsenal later in the transfer market.

Arsenal eye Rafinha

18:45: Arsenal have been linked with a summer deal for Barcelona midfielder Rafinha.

Arsenal are eyeing new recruits ahead of the new season and Mundo Deportivo claim the Gunners have been in contact over a deal for Rafinha.

However, they face competition from Tottenham, Liverpool and the two Milan clubs to sign him.

Sanchez disagrees with agent

15:42: Alexis Sanchez is refusing to take his agent’s advice over the best way to leave Arsenal.

Sanchez has less than 12 months remaining on his contract and Arsenal don’t want to sell him this summer.

That means he will likely leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

This is what his agent Fernando Felicevich wants - because Sanchez can then sign a lucrative new contract as his new club won’t have to pay anything in transfer fees.

But the Mirror claim the player wants to leave now and is at odds with the player.

Arsenal on the verge of Lemar deal

14:30: Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Monaco star Thomas Lemar.

Arsenal are said to have already had two bids turned down for Lemar, with Monaco reportedly slapping an £80million price tag on the 21-year-old to deter the Gunners' interest.

But according to The Sun, Arsenal have made a breakthrough in negotiations with Monaco and are now closing in on a £45m deal.

The report claims Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with the Frenchman after he told Monaco to allow him to move to the Emirates.

The former Caen man is said to want to complete his move before Monaco face Paris-Saint Germain in Morocco tomorrow in the Trophee des champions.

Perez agent speaks out

13:30: Deportivo La Coruna have tabled a bid for Lucas Perez, according to the player’s agent Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle.

The 28-year-old moved to the Emirates Stadium from Spain last August for a fee reported to be in the region of £17million.

However, Perez has found his chances severely limited, starting just twice in the Premier League and making nine starts in total.

Lovelle said: “Deportivo made an offer a week ago. It is a permanent deal and worth more than Nolito's move to Sevilla (£8.1m).

“Of course he was told he would play more. Lucas signed for Arsenal and was the happiest person in the world and with all of his dreams to fulfil.

"We have seen that every time he played he did well, but after every time he got fewer and fewer opportunities.”

Perez exit accelerated

12:50: Lucas Perez’s agent has arrived in London to discuss his client’s future, reports claim.

According to Spanish publication AS, Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle flew into the capital today and will negotiate a move away from Arsenal.

It’s thought a meeting has been scheduled, and Perez’s sale will be accelerated with Deportivo La Coruna the most likely destination.

The Spanish club have offered £9million for the attacker, but haven’t received a response.

Pennant joins… Billericay Town?!

10:40: Jermaine Pennant is set to complete a shock move to non-league big-spenders Billericay Town.

Pennant will pick up around £3,000-a-week at Billericay, whose dramatic spending spree is being overseen by millionaire steel magnate Glenn Tamplin.

Tamplin bought the club last year and is spending close to £30,000-a-week in wages to try and fire Billericay to promotion with Paul Konchesky and Jamie O’Hara also on his books.

He told The Sun: “Jermaine will be a great signing and will help us get to where we want to go.

“We all know he is a top player. He is good mates with Jamie O’Hara and when he heard about what we are doing, he let it know he wanted to come here.

“The fact Jermaine chose us over Hibs shows how much we are growing.

“Jermaine’s ability will make us even stronger and his experience will help our younger players reach the next level.”

Sanchez selfie = panic!

09:45: Alexis Sanchez has sparked more transfer discussion.

The Chilean posted a picture on his Instagram account with the caption “Sick!” followed a series of medicine-themed emojis hours after manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he would begin training on Sunday.

Sanchez has missed most of Arsenal’s pre-season preparations due to his involvement in the Confederations Cup, and his latest post suggests there will be no reunion with his Arsenal teammates this week.

Manchester City and Paris St-Germain are reported to be monitoring the 28-year-old, and his absence will do little to ease transfer speculation.

Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez might NOT return to training on SundayGETTY

Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez might NOT return to training on Sunday

Santi will be back - but date still unknown

09:00: Arsenal star Santi Cazorla has dismissed any suggestions that he will retire.

The Spanish playmaker hasn’t played since October 2016 after undergoing eight surgeries on his troublesome heel.

He said: “I don't want to put any dates on a return because then if it takes longer, I feel I would disappoint.

“I really want to play again and I will work hard to return as soon as possible but the truth is that neither the doctors nor the trainers know when I will be able to return. 

“Every day my son asks me if I can play again. He really wants to see me on the pitch and I hope it will be soon.”

Arsenal submit third Thomas Lemar bid

08:00: Monaco have rejected Arsenal’s third bid for Thomas Lemar, reports claim.

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Arsenal submitted an official £46million offer earlier this week.

But the Ligue 1 champions aren’t interested in selling another superstar having seen Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Tiemoue Bakayoko leave the club.

The Gunners initially offered £35m plus performance-related add-ons and an increased £40m, which the club also snubbed.

L’Equipe do offer Arsenal fans hope by adding that Monaco are starting to consider a sale.

Arsenal Transfer News: The Gunners have seen their £44.6million Thomas Lemar bid rejectedGETTY

Arsenal Transfer News: The Gunners have seen their £44.6million Thomas Lemar bid rejected

Chelsea swoop for Ox, but replacement identified

07:30: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is keen to sign Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, reports claim.

The Mirror report that Arsenal will move for Arsenal star Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose current deal at the Emirates expires next year, next month.

It’s unclear whether the Gunners will succeed in negotiations to extend Oxlade-Chamberlain’s deal.

But there’s a replacement in the pipeline.

The Daily Mail say Arsenal will go in for Everton wantaway Ross Barkley should Oxlade-Chamberlain call time on his Gunners career.

Alexis returns, for now…

07:15: Alexis Sanchez will start pre-season training with Arsenal on Sunday.

Sanchez and defender Shkodran Mustafi both missed out on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East this month.

The duo were given an extended break following their exploits at the Confederations Cup.

But Wenger has now given the clearest indication yet that Sanchez will be staying with the Gunners.

Wenger said: “Alexis and Mustafi, their first training session will be on Sunday, the day we play against Sevilla. They are practising on the day.”

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