Arsenal Transfer News LIVE updates: Sanchez and Wenger showdown talks, Liverpool eye Lemar

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: BARCELONA COULD SIGN OZIL, MAN CITY EXPECTING SANCHEZ DEAL

Monday 31 July

Alexandre Lacazette adapting to Arsenal life

19:45: Alexandre Lacazette says joining Arsenal has been like ‘entering a new world’.

“Everything has changed,” Lacazette said. 

“I felt that I was entering a new world. In terms of the players, the technical staff, the football… everything is different.

“That’s what I was looking for. It is I who needs to adapt as soon as possible.

“Everything is different. It’s bigger, goes faster, stronger… it’s good. It’s a great league with lots of teams. In my opinion there is no small team. 

“Even against the smallest one it’s not always easy. I can’t wait to see how the season goes.”

Alexis Sanchez en route to Paris

18:30: Alexis Sanchez has been pictured in Chile about to board a plane to Paris, France.

Sanchez is expected in England on Tuesday after Arsenal gave him time to recover from illness.

And Chilean lawyer Ruben Inostrova Povea, who represents Sanchez posted an image on Instagram of himself with Sanchez en route to Paris and then London.

Arsenal set price for Perez

17.00: Arsenal have put a £13.4m price-tag on Lucas Perez, according to the London Evening Standard.

His former club Deportivo La Coruna are said to have made a £9m offer but the Gunners want their demands met in full.

Speaking to The Standard, Perez's agent Rodrigo Fernandez dismissed Arsene Wenger's recent claims the Spaniard would not be sold.

"If he [Arsene Wenger] said Lucas was leaving he would have to cut the price for him to exit," Fernandez said.

"It is logical [to say he’s staying]. He is a good businessman.”

Alexis set for showdown talks

14:40: Alexis Sanchez is set for face-to-face talks with manager Arsene Wenger to resolve his future.

The Chilean will arrive in London on Tuesday, and is due to train with his Arsenal colleagues on Wednesday.

The Evening Standard claim it's the first meeting between the pair since Sanchez's contract talks stalled because of a potential move to Manchester City.

It's thought Wenger has been texting his attacking superstar throughout the summer, but they haven't spoken in person for over two months.

Liverpool want Rafinha

13:30: Liverpool are ready to offer up to £36million for Barcelona star Rafinha.

Jurgen Klopp has already broken Liverpool's transfer record with the signing of Mohamed Salah from Roma but the German is keen to add more attacking threat to his side.

And Barcelona star Rafinha is the man at the top of his wishlist.

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, claim Klopp is keen to bring him to Anfield and the Reds are now willing to make an offer of £26.8m (€30m) and £35.8m (€40m) to secure a deal this summer.

Liverpool are ready to make the first move after reports suggested Arsenal, Tottenham, Inter Milan and AC Milan were all showing interest.

And with that in mind Klopp has now told Liverpool's sporting director Michael Edwards to get the deal done.

Barca are actively pursuing Philippe Coutinho and the Reds hope any negotiations surrounding the 25-year-old's future would not impact on a deal for Rafinha.

Wenger: This will become the transfer norm

13:05: Players running down their contracts will become the norm in years to come due to skyrocketing transfer fees, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have both entered the final year of their deals, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs could also leave Arsenal for free in 12 months' time.

Wenger tried to see the positive side, saying it could be an "ideal situation" for the club as the players would be motivated to perform to impress potential suitors.

"I think in the future, you will see it more and more. Why? Because the transfers are so high, even for normal players," he told reporters.

"You will see more and more players going into the final year of the contract because no club will want to pay the amount demanded... in the next 10 years, it will become usual.

"I think the performance on the day does not depend on the length of the contract, if that was true we would sign everyone for 20 years and be happy."

Be patient with Lacazette - Seaman

12:40: Alexandre Lacazette will need time to adapt the the frantic pace of the Premier League, according to David Seaman.

Lacazette, 26, arrived for a club-record fee of £53 million from Lyon, and showed his prowess with a goal against Sevilla yesterday.

Despite the encouraging signs, Seaman has warned that it'll take a while for Lacazette to adjust.

He told Goal: "It will be difficult for him to get used to the Premier League.

"A lot of new signings find it difficult to settle because they don’t realise how fast and how physical it is, and how fast the games come round.

"Sometimes you’re playing two or three times a week. He will get used to it – from what I’ve seen he does look quality."

Chelsea eyeing Arsenal target

11:40: Chelsea are reportedly putting plans in place to sign Celtic wonderkid Karamoko Dembele.

The Sun say Chelsea have already put wheels in motion regarding a move.

The youngster is just 14, but played for Celtic’s Under-20 team aged just 13.

Conte has been left awestruck by his ability and is determined to land the teenager ahead of rivals from both home and abroad.

Manchester City and Arsenal have both been linked with moves for him in the past.

Everton want Giroud answer

11:15: Everton will intensify their efforts to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.

The Mirror claim Ronald Koeman has made the 30-year-old their top target, and wants an answer quickly.

It's said that Everton are prepared to pay £25million for the Frenchman, who will have to battle Alexandre Lacazette for a starting berth.

Everton will seek another centre-forward if Giroud decides to stay at the Emirates.

Arsenal can cope without Alexis - Courtois

10:50: Arsenal will survive without Alexis Sanchez, according to Chelsea goalkeeper thibaut Courtois.

The Gunners are facing the prospect of losing Sanchez, who could submit a transfer request to force through a move to Manchester City.

But Courtois thinks Arsene Wenger's side have enough quality in their ranks.

He said: "Alexis is a guy with a lot of quality. If you see all the games from last season there is a lot of danger coming from him.

"He has a very strong shot, he is quick. He has the technique. He is important for them but Arsenal have a lot of players with quality.

"So they will miss him but I think they have a lot of players with that quality to replace him. I think they have bought a good new striker in Lacazette."

Sanchez considering transfer request

10:15: Alexis Sanchez is reportedly considering handing in a transfer request to accelerate his move to Manchester City.

The Mirror claim Sanchez is desperate to play for former manager Pep Guardiola, and is prepared to upset Arsenal supporters to complete the deal.

It's unknown whether Arsene Wenger will accept the request having publicly revealed the Chilean wouldn't be sold.

Sanchez scared off Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain with his contract demands, but City are supposedly unfazed by his £400,000 a-week expectations.

Liverpool hijack Lemar swoop

09:25: Liverpool have joined the battle to sign Monaco superstar Thomas Lemar, reports claim.

According to French newspaper Le10 Sport, Jurgen Klopp has identified Lemar as a potential replacement for Philippe Coutinho.

The report states that Liverpool have made NO contact with Monaco representatives and Arsenal are still leading the race for his signature.

Obviously the deal would be dependent on a couple of audacious moves including Neymar joining PSG, and Barcelona signing Coutinho.

Gibbs MUST lower wage demands

08:45: Sky Sports are also reporting that Watford are plotting a move for Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs.

However, Gibbs would need to take a significant pay cut in order to switch to the Hornets.

The defender currently earns £60,000 a-week, and that would make him West Brom's highest earning player - £10k more than Salomon Rondon.

Baggies after ex-Arsenal defender

08:00: West Brom are keen on former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, according to Sky Sports.

The 31-year-old has endured an injury-hit three-year spell at Barcelona but new boss Ernesto Valverde has been impressed by the Belgian in pre-season and is prepared to give him more game-time, which could scupper any move by the Baggies.

Everton value Barkley at £35m

07:15: The Daily Mail reports that Everton are prepared to hold out for £35million for England midfielder Ross Barkley, despite the 23-year-old only having a year remaining on his contract.

And the Daily Mirror reports that he will need to lower his wage demands from £120,000 a week in order to join Tottenham, who will not match the offer put to him by the Toffees.

Manchester United and Arsenal have also been linked with his services.

Alexis Sanchez to PSG

06:00: Express Sport understands Paris Saint-Germain will launch a £35million move for Alexis Sanchez.

However, they will only do so after completing a deal for Barcelona's Neymar.

PSG are confident they can still sign the Chile international despite strong interest from Manchester City.

If the deal goes ahead, I know who I want to be on FIFA 18 next season...

Barcelona could go for Mesut Ozil

05:00: Barcelona could turn their attentions to Mesut Ozil if Philippe Coutinho stays at Liverpool.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Don Balon, who say they are ready to pay £53million to get a deal done. 

Coutinho remains their top target, however Liverpool are so far proving stubborn negotiators.

Barcelona also like the idea of signing Ozil given how popular he was for fierce rivals Real Madrid. 

Manchester City expecting the arrival of Alexis Sanchez

04:45: Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City is refusing to go away.

The Manchester Evening News claim Pep Guardiola’s players are anticipating his arrival.

However, several members of the squad supposedly fear for what that might mean for the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. 

That is not the only Sanchez update, so watch this space…

Welcome to Express Sport's Arsenal transfer blog

04:00: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s LIVE Arsenal transfer blog.

Barcelona could reportedly go for Mesut Ozil if they fail to get Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.

And Manchester City players are anticipating the arrival of Alexis Sanchez.

So stay tuned for all the latest from the Emirates.