Arsenal Transfer News LIVE updates: Sanchez latest, Lemar to Liverpool, Barkley fee drops

ARSENAL transfer news is heating up ahead of the new season - Express Sport is here to bring you all the latest gossip and done deals from the Emirates as they unfold.

Target Thomas Lemar's stunning Monaco highlight reel

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: All the latest from the Emirates…

Sunday August 6

Man City Bale battle 

05:45: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reportedly switched his focus from landing Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez to getting Gareth Bale.

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Manchester United now face competition from neighbours City to land Real Madrid forward Bale.

Madrid are reportedly rushing to sell in order to fund a move for Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe.

Chelsea, United and City are now all after Bale, and the latter two are prepared to pay £90m.

Jose Mourinho has pushed hardest so far, but City are in the fight with Sanchez proving to complicated to sign from the Gunners this summer.

Wenger admits Wilshere doubt

02:50: Arsene Wenger has admitted Jack Wilshere could yet be sold by Arsenal this summer.

"The decision has not been completely made, but I want him to play somewhere," Wenger said. 

"We have to decide that later.

"First I wanted him to come back from his fracture. It’s the first week back from full training. We need to sit down and see where we go.

"He has the talent to be a regular, but he has to come back to competition in a consistent way.”

West Ham, Swansea and Sampdoria are among those who carry an interest in taking the England international midfielder. 

Ross BarkleyGETTY

Everton playmaker Ross Barkley is a target for Arsenal

Saturday August 5

Barkley price-tag drops

23:45: Ross Barkley is hopeful Everton will start receiving bids after his price-tag was dropped to £35m.

Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal are all in the hunt for the wantaway Everton playmaker.

Everton have been asking for £50m, and their high valuation has so far deterred Premier League rivals from making a move.

But according to the Mirror, Everton have now backed down slightly over the 23-year-old’s fee.

It is said Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal are all showing interest, with Arsene Wenger still looking to strengthen his side.

And Barkley now hopes Everton’s willingness to drop their valuation will see the first bid made.

Arsenal chasing Lemar

20:00: Arsenal are considering another bid for Monaco's Thomas Lemar.

That's according to Telefoot journalist Julien Maynard.

Although he insists the French side don't want to sell.

Maynard tweeted: "Despite the imminent arrival of Rachid Ghezzal and Arsenal pushing (which could offer nearly €60m), Monaco does not want to sell Thomas Lemar."

PSG eye Sanchez or Mbappe

16:48: PSG are still interested in signing Alexis Sanchez.

However, the Ligue 1 side are set to prioritise a deal for Kylian Mbappe first.

Le 10 Sport claim PSG are willing to spend even more money in this transfer window to bring Mbappe to Paris.

They have already forked out £200m on Neymar.

Monaco want £162m for Mbappe, while Arsenal are determined to keep hold of Sanchez.

And PSG seem to have made Sanchez their second-choice target if a deal for Mbappe proves impossible.

Barca and PSG want Seri

15:07: Arsenal face competition from Barcelona and PSG in their pursuit of Jean Seri.

Arsenal want to sign midfielder Seri, who has a £35m release clause.

The Gunners could trigger the clause but Le Parisien claim both Barca and PSG are serious about landing the 26-year-old.

Nice have already rejected £20m bids from Swansea and Roma.

Alexis SanchezGETTY

Alexis Sanchez remains on PSG's radar

Cagliari want Jenkinson

13:52: Cagliari have joined Verona in the hunt for Carl Jenkinson.

Arsenal are keen to let Jenkinson leave and sent him on loan to West Ham last season.

A move to Verona has bene mooted in recent days.

And now Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport claim Cagliari are in for the 25-year-old.

Perez snubs Roma

11:35: Arsenal’s hopes of sending Lucas Perez to Roma appear to be already over.

Arsenal are said to have contacted Roma (10:16) recording a £12.2m deal for the striker.

The Gunners want Perez off their books.

But his agent Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle told Romanews WebRadio that the striker isn’t keen on the deal.

“It’s not true, there are no negotiations with Roma,” he said.

“I am friends with Monchi and can assure you he is not seeking a player like him. In fairness, Monchi was interested in Perez when he was still the director at Sevilla, but Roma do not need a player with his characteristics.

“The Giallorossi already have centre-forwards and I don’t know why Perez’s name appeared in the papers linked with Roma, but I can guarantee the are not looking for players like him.

“I spoke to Monchi many times and he confirmed it. Roma have not shown any interest in my client. Monchi was very clear with me, they are not seeking strikers.”

Arsenal contact Roma

10:16: Arsenal have offered Roma a deal to sign Lucas Perez.

The Gunners are keen to get Perez off their books and are open to a £12.2m sale.

Deportivo La Coruna and Sevilla are also interested in the Spaniard.

But Corriere dello Sport claim Roma have been contacted over a possible move.

The Rome club are also chasing Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez.

Lucas PerezGETTY

Lucas Perez (right) is not heading to Roma

Arsenal and Liverpool on red alert for Lucas Vazquez

05:10: Lucas Vazquez is ready to quit Real Madrid if Kylian Mbappe joins from Monaco this summer.

The 26-year-old Spain international wants regular game time this season ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

And should Mbappe arrive at the Bernabeu, forward Vazquez will leave Madrid, according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Roma are all said to have offers on the table for Vazquez.

And the Premier League trio are keen on securing his services.

Wenger - Sanchez wants title with Arsenal

01:45: Arsene Wenger is convinced Alexis Sanchez will fight to win the title for Arsenal this season.

Asked whether he was confident that Sanchez will give everything to the team if he remains at the club this summer, Wenger replied: "Of course. Why not?

“If you look at it, it's always in your interests, even if you have a short contract, to do well. 

“And the kind of character he is [also convinces me].

"He is a winner. When he goes on the football pitch, he wants to win. 

Friday 4 August

Arsenal continue Lemar talks

22:45: Arsenal are continuing talks with Monaco over Thomas Lemar, according to Sky Sports man Aidan Magee.

Appearing on Sky Sports News' Transfer Centre, Magee said: "We are told discussions are ongoing over the future of this man - attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar.

"Arsenal have already had two bids of £30m and £40m rejected by Monaco. The Ligue 1 side are thought to be holding out for £50m. 

"Head coach Leonardo Jardim, meanwhile, has told reporters that he can't guarantee they'll keep all their important players."

Arsene WengerGETTY

Arsene Wenger has been impressed by Chelsea's transfer business this summer

Wenger lauds Chelsea

17.15: Arsene Wenger has admitted he has been impressed by Chelsea in pre-season and has lauded their transfer business.

"They have added Bakayoko who is a very strong player, strong ball-winner, similar to Matic.

"[He] may be less of a distance runner, more of an impact player but certainly they will fight for the championship again.

"They have replaced [Diego] Costa with Morata. Morata is maybe less of a goalscorer than Costa, but he can score and provide as well," he added.

"Against us in Asia, Batshuayi played very well. He is a young striker who is promising as well, so I expect them to fight again for the championship."

Sanchez won't go - Winterburn

16.05: Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has admitted he would be 'absolutely amazed' if Alexis Sanchez left this summer.

"The way Arsene Wenger is talking I would be absolutely amazed if Alexis Sanchez walks away from this football club," he told talkSPORT.

"Unless he is the type of player that would down tools - but he doesn’t seem that type of player to me.

"I expect him to be there until the end of the season."

Mavididi close to Preston deal

13:30: Arsenal youngster Stephy Mavididi is on the verge of joining Preston.

The 19-year-old spent six months with Charlton, but only made five appearances before sustaining a serious hamstring injury.

News Shopper claim Arsenal prevented League One Charlton from re-signing Mavididi, who will play in the Championship next season.

Sanchez gone

12:00: Alexis Sanchez is guaranteed to leave Arsenal, according to talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein.

Monaco have joined Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Sanchez, who kissed the Arsenal badge in an open training session yesterday.

But speaking on talkSPORT, Goldstein said: "It looks like Monaco will today make a bid of around £45milion for Alexis Sanchez.

"It looks like he will go, Sanchez. It might be Monaco, it might be Manchester City, but he's going to go.

"You know that, I know that and Arsene Wenger knows that as well. I think it's a guarantee."

Lucas Perez hands in formal transfer request

10:20: Arsenal forward Lucas Perez has submitted a formal transfer request.

The Spaniard is desperate to leave the Emirates having failed to break into Arsene Wenger's starting XI.

But Arsenal aren't prepared to let him leave for less than their  £13.4million valuation - something his agent Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle is annoyed with.

He told Goal: "£13.4million is an expensive price. Lucas wants to go to the World Cup and be happy at a place where he has opportunities to play."

Neville backs United for title

09:10: Phil Neville has predicted Manchester United will win the Premier League title over Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The 2016/17 season gets underway on August 11 and looks set to be one of the most hotly contested campaigns in recent years.

But Neville can't see the trophy going anywhere but Manchester.

He said: "The two Manchester clubs will fight it out for the league, but Jose Mourinho’s track record of winning titles in his second season and the buys they’ve made this summer mean I am going for United."

Lemar wants deal

08:11: Thomas Lemar wants to join Arsenal, according to L'Equipe.

Arsenal have been chasing the winger over recent weeks but Monaco are holding out for £45m for their gem.

Arsenal have seen three offers rejected for Lemar.

But the French newspaper claims Lemar himself is receptive to a move and that a deal will go through if terms between the clubs can be agreed.

Thomas Lemar in action for MonacoGETTY

Arsenal are interested in signing Thomas Lemar

Juventus move for Asensio

07:15: Juventus are eager to sign Real Madrid star Marco Asensio.

According to Spanish newspaper Diario Gol, Juventus have spoken with Asensio's representatives about swapping Madrid for Turin.

The report suggests Asensio is worried by the prospect of Kylian Mbappe arriving, and has asked captain Sergio Ramos for advice.

Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool were both credited with interest earlier in the summer.

Monaco to use Lemar to secure Sanchez

05:10: Monaco will reportedly try and use Arsenal’s interest in Thomas Lemar to push for a deal for Alexis Sanchez. 

Arsenal have been exploring a deal for Thomas Lemar, with Arsene Wenger keen to shore up his midfield options.

Wenger has already had a couple of bids knocked back for the 21-year-old winger.

Meanwhile, Sanchez, who has one year left to run on his present contract, has yet to agree a new deal.

According to The Sun, Monaco are weighing up a £45m bid for Sanchez, and Lemar could be used as bait to secure a deal.

Arsenal star Lucas Perez (right)GETTY

Lucas Perez is destined to leave Arsenal

Wenger criticises Neymar deal

04:40: Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal will never be able to compete with football's super-rich clubs.

Neymar passed a medical before sealing a £198million transfer from Barcelona.

The deal will shatter the world transfer record and is worth over FOUR TIMES as much as Arsenal's record signing Alexandre Lacazette.

And Wenger concedes the presence of clubs such as PSG, who have a seemingly limitless transfer budget, means Arsenal cannot compete for the top players.

“It is because of the ownerships,” Wenger said.

“The whole landscape of football has changed completely.”

Wenger confirms Perez exit

04:10: Arsene Wenger has revealed Lucas Perez is set to leave the club this summer.

Arsenal snapped up Perez from Deportivo La Coruna for £17m last year but he managed just 22 appearances in his maiden campaign.

Premier League rivals Newcastle are interested in freeing the 28-year-old from his Emirates hell.

Perez is also wanted back at Deportivo and Wenger is open to letting him go.

"I don't like to lose him... but we have main strikers and too much competition is no competition anymore," the Arsenal boss said.

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