Arsenal transfer news LIVE updates: Draxler contact claim, Mustafi loan, Sanchez latest

ARSENAL are hoping to fine-tune their squad ahead of the transfer deadline after kicking off their season on Friday night - and Express Sport brings you the latest transfer news from the Emirates.

Wenger is 'very happy' Arsenal doesn't have Coutinho situation

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: Follow below for the latest from the Emirates...

Friday 18 August

Sanchez to Barcelona claim

22:00: Alexis Sanchez would be a good addition at Barcelona if they were to consider re-signing him from Arsenal, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. 

“To be honest this is a good point,” Balague said on SkySports during a Twitter Q&A when asked why Barcelona have not considered Sanchez.

“But he didn’t succeed at Barcelona, he struggled with the style at Barca at that time. 

"Now he would be a good addition, but no, they have not considered him.”

Draxler agent boost

18.00: Julian Draxler's agent Roger Wittmann has admitted he would consider offers for the Arsenal target.

“If someone made an offer then I would consider it and would have to contact the PSG president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi],” Wittman said.

“But again, it’s not an issue, somebody would have to start addressing the situation with Julian.

“But if such a situation does not exist, then everything is said.”

Shkodran Mustafi latest

14:43: More on Inter Milan’s interest in Shkodran Mustafi.

It appears as though the Serie A side are keen on a loan deal for the player.

Mustafi cost Arsenal £35m last season and the Gunners would not likely sell for below that price.

But Inter are hoping a loan agreement can be struck.

Contact over Draxler

13:22: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United AND Liverpool have all been in contact with PSG regarding a possible deal for Julian Draxler.

That is according to the Gambling Times, who claim the Premier League quartet are keen to sign the Germany international this summer.

Draxler’s sudden availability - as reported by French newspaper L’Equipe - appears to have caught the interest of England’s top clubs.

PSG are supposedly willing to sell for as little as £30million - a bargain in the current market.

Shkodran MustafiGETTY

Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi could head on loan to Inter Milan

Inter want Mustafi

10:35: Arsenal star Shkodran Mustafi is wanted at Inter Milan.

Mustafi only joined the Gunners last season but talks are reportedly underway over a deal with the San Siro giants.

Calciomercato claim the 25-year-old is being tracked by Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio.

Mustafi is contracted to Arsenal until 2021.

Gabriel medical today

09:50: Arsenal defender Gabriel has arrived in Valencia ahead of his imminent transfer.

Gabriel has been granted permission to speak to Valencia after Arsenal agreed a £10m deal to sell the centre-back.

Spanish newspaper Sport claim the Brazilian has flown to Spain for a medical.

Arsenal can't replace Sanchez

08:21: Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has backed Arsene Wenger to keep Alexis Sanchez - in part because the boss won’t be able to find a replacement at the same price this summer.

“There are big decisions that have to be made with Alexis,” Parlour said on talkSPORT.

“They have to look at his character. He loves football.

“I would keep him because you have to replace him and you can’t.

“They have Lacazette as well, playing with Ozil. If you want to keep in the top four you need to keep your top players.

“How much to replace him in this current market? Sam Clucas from Hull, £20m? Is he in Sanchez’s class? How much would it cost to replace someone like Sanchez. Coutinho standard? So £80m or £90m.”

Arsenal target Juan Cuadrado

07:00: Arsenal have reportedly not given up hope of signing Juventus star Juan Cuadrado.

The Gunners have been frustrated in their attempts to sign Thomas Lemar from Monaco so far this summer.

Arsene Wenger wants to bolster his options in the wide areas.

And Italian outlet Transfermarketweb claim Arsenal could turn their attentions to Cuadrado in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Juan Cuadrado targetedGETTY

Arsenal have expressed an interest in Juan Cuadrado

Debuchy offered contract by Besiktas

04:30: Mathieu Debuchy has been offered a £2.3m-a-season contract by Besiktas. 

The France international is deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal following Hector Bellerin's rise to prominence. 

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for the former Newcastle man. 

And Turkish outlet Takvim claim Besiktas have registered an interest.

Schwarzer damning transfer verdict

02:00: Arsenal have had one of the worst transfer window's this summer, according to Mark Schwarzer. 

“Someone who has been underwhelming and disappointing is Arsenal,” Schwarzer told Sky Sports.

“All the pressure Arsene Wenger was under last season. Was he going to sign was he not going to sign and then he did.

“They tried to do their business and they did with Lacazette who I think can be a very good signing for them.

“He scored on his debut and he looks a good player but he’s just going to need more players around him.

“They’ve signed Kolasinac who had a solid pre-season. First game against Leicester he was exposed on a number of occasions.

“I think defensively they’ve got problems when Koscielny’s not fit.

“They’ve got a massive squad but they’ve got too many similar players.”

Thursday 17 August

Inter interested in Mustafi

22.00: Inter Milan have reportedly opened talks with Arsenal over a shock move for Shkodran Mustafi.

Arsene Wenger admitted earlier this month he needs to trim his squad at Arsenal with Gabriel set to join Valencia for £10m.

But he could be set to lose another defender with Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio claiming Inter have made contact with Mustafa over a possible transfer.

Asensio targeted

17:50: Arsenal are willing to pay Marco Asensio's huge £72million release clause.

That's according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.

The youngster is wanted by the Gunners as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez.

But Asensio supposedly has no interest in joining the Gunners. 

Lemar to Man Utd?

15.20: Manchester United are set to muscle in on Arsenal target Thomas Lemar, according to Daily Record.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Monaco star for weeks.

However, the report says the Red Devils are poised to swoop for the France international after missing out on Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

United will reportedly have to pay in the region of £55m for the winger.

Mesut Ozil contract hint?

12:20: Arsenal got fans excited this morning by tweeting a picture of Mesut Ozil - prompting hope that he was about to sign a new deal.

The Germany international, 28, has refused to sign a new deal at the Emirates and he can leave for free at the end of the season.

The Gunners posted a picture with the ‘M’ emoji today, paying tribute to their midfield magician.

And it sent supporters wild with speculation over if he was staying put.

One fan tweeted “Hope this is a cheeky hint” while another said “Announce contract”.

Wenger faces sack?

11:55: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces the sack if Aliko Dangote buys the club.

Nigerian billionaire Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has made no secret of his desire to buy Arsenal.

And the 60-year-old, who plans to launch a takeover bid once construction of an oil refinery in Lagos is completed, admits his fist port of call would be to find a new head coach.

Wenger has been in charge at Arsenal since 1996 put pen to paper on a new two-year contract this summer, ending months of speculation over his future.

“The first thing I would change is the coach,” Dangote said. “He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.”

Paulista to leave in 'hours' - Balague

11:32: Valencia will announce the signing of Gabriel Paulista in the next few hours, according to Guillem Balague.

Balague tweeted: “Valencia will announce in the next few hours the signing of Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal). The deal could reach £10m.”

He is expected to be followed through the exit door by Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs and Calum Chambers.

Jack WilshereGETTY

Arsene Wenger has confirmed he wants Jack Wilshere to remain at Arsenal this summer

Arsenal transfer news LIVE updates

Sanchez to PSG?

10:35: Neymar and Dani Alves have reportedly been trying to convince Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez to join them at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Sanchez has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates after entering the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have shown an interest in the Chile international.

And according to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Sanchez’s former Barcelona team-mates Neymar and Alves have been trying to convince him to join them in the French capital.

Everton abandon Giroud pursuit

08:45: Everton have finally admitted defeat in their pursuit of Olivier Giroud as the striker looks set to stay at Arsenal this summer

Ronald Koeman is thought to be on the lookout for a new striker following Romelu Lukaku's move to Manchester United.

But the Liverpool Echo claim the Toffees have had to abandon their hopes of signing the Gunners star as he wants to stay and fight for his place at the Emirates Stadium instead.

Arsenal invite Besiktas for talks over Ozyakup clause

05:45: Arsenal have invited Besiktas to London for talks about the sell-on clause of Oguzhan Ozyakup. 

Ozyakup, 24, left the Gunners for Besiktas in 2013 for around £456,000 and they inserted a 30 per cent sell-on clause within the deal.

The Turkish champions are keen to tie him down to a new long-term contract as he has just 12 months remaining on his current deal. 

It is said they have already agreed a five-year deal in principle with Ozyakup, but Fanatik claim they want to re-negotiate his sell-on clause before handing him fresh terms.

Besiktas supposedly offered the Gunners around £913,000 up-front to waver the clause.

However, Arsenal are yet to make a decision regarding this and have invited Besiktas chiefs to London for face-to-face talks. 

The Turkey international is currently valued at around £18million by Besiktas and if this valuation is met by another club Arsenal will receive around £5.5m for the transfer.

Gabriel poised to join Valencia

05:00: Gabriel is closing in on a £10million move to Valencia. 

The Brazilian defender has struggled to settle in north London after joining the club for £15m from Villarreal in January 2015. 

And The Daily Mirror say Valencia are confident of getting a deal done with the Gunners willing to sell. 

However, a move this summer appears unlikely with the defender still recovering from a knee ligament injury. 

Wenger wants Wilshere to remain at the Emirates

04:30: Arsene Wenger has confirmed he plans for Jack Wilshere to remain at Arsenal this season. 

"It's good that he is back and available," he said.

"I think he needs games now. He might play again [with the Under-23s] on Monday night.

"He is not far away now.

"I plan for him to be here for the season, after we will see."

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