AaronTheGooner

[HandofArsenal @HandofArsenal]

• Mikel Arteta is set to renew his contract with Arsenal and spearhead the title defence of The English Champions. The club approached our Basque native earlier this year, and it was agreed Mikel wanted to focus on delivering us major silverware & to earn his position within the home of the champions. Total accountability.

My understanding is that Enrique Riquleme explored a secret plot to bring Arteta to Madrid if he had won his presidential election. Mikel is currently on 'holiday', yet actively involved in our transfer operations. While everyone at the club are behaving like it’s a done deal, the club hope to finalise the inner details of the most important contract at the club. Minimum 3 years - the wheels are firmly on. Viva La Mikel.

• Andrea Berta's current contract runs until 2028. As I understand it, senior officials from Saudi explored a possibility of luring the Italian to the Middle East, while Bayern also covertly did the same thing. Andrea promised Mikel last summer he would deliver him a squad worthy of major silverware… mission completed, with the UCL now in their sights.

Another thing I wanted to mention is Micheli Maurizio, the man responsible for scouting Hamšík, Kvaratskhelia, Kim Min-Jae and now Christos Tzolis. While Arsenal aim to add atleast 2 attackers, do not underestimate the authority and respect this man has within the club and wider football. Two weeks ago, I was speaking to the representatives of a player who told me Micheli was the one holding court without the presence of Berta. This duo act are conducting business seamlessly, as you can see with the revamp of the Arsenal youth set up, for which I am told the club have ring fenced a special transfer budget.

• The contract of Declan Rice is also a major focus for Arsenal this summer, with initial talks starting early this year. As I understand it, Declan is very happy at Arsenal despite interest from the likes of Real Madrid and others. Talks are going smoothly and expect this to get done in due course.

• Jurrien Timber's contract is very close to completion. Minor details remain.

• David Raya has a 1 year optional extension on his current contract, which has 2 years left. All parties are very relaxed about his long term future, as a pay rise was agreed last summer.

As for all the rumours circulating, as of today, Arsenal are yet to make direct contact with ANY club for a MIDFIELDER.

I am happy to provide a 'state of play' post on the midfielder situation if that would be helpful?

HandofArsenal

https://t.co/Av82d2H54h

[AaronTheGooner @AaronTheGunner]

@FabrizioRomano Awful decision but they move

[AaronTheGooner @AaronTheGunner]

@FabrizioRomano He’s not a left back tho

[now.arsenal @now_arsenaI]

I would pay stupid money for that all black Arsenal shirt.

The best thing I’ve ever seen. 🤩

[Purple Panel @PurplePanel]

🚨Arsenal are exploring the addition of an attacking specialist to the coaching structure after internal analysis highlighted concerns over creativity and attacking output; the impact of Gabriel Heinze’s arrival has highlighted the value of targeted appointments to address specific performance areas within Mikel Arteta’s structure. #AFC

[No Context World Cup @NoContextEPL]

Robertson’s solution to FIFA’s new throw-in rule is brilliantly simple. 👏

[Purple Panel @PurplePanel]

Andrea Berta is planting some seeds.

[Clive 🏆 @clivepafc]

Not sure you can play football without a midfield - even Brazil

[AaronTheGooner @AaronTheGunner]

@clivepafc Their midfield is a wash up has-been, a guy who wasn’t even good enough for relegated west ham, and a guy who chooses violence over football 🤷🏽‍♂️😂

[AaronTheGooner @AaronTheGunner]

@YankeeGunner What happened to the “10 seconds on corners” rule?? Or was that just PL nonsense for next season?

[HandofArsenal @HandofArsenal]

When the time is right, we will discuss Morgan Rogers also.

Patience is the master of the situation.

[Oyiga Micheal @Nsukka_okpa]

-Reporter: After your second goal, you revealed the number 17. What did it mean?

🚨🎙️|Folarin Balogun: "When I was at Arsenal, Alex Iwobi was a mentor who helped guide me at an important stage of my career. This goal was dedicated to him. #FCBLive

[Sami Mokbel @SamiMokbel_BBC]

Arsenal offered Club Brugge forward Christos Tzolis. Sporting director Andrea Berta actively pursuing £35m deal after assistant Maurizio Micheli watched the Greece international play v Sweden last week. Mikel Arteta on board with possible signing. https://t.co/WVvyaF3I84

[AaronTheGooner @AaronTheGunner]

@The_Forty_Four Community note still doesn’t help lol

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal make initial approach for Christos Tzolis as potential new winger with contacts started on player/club side.

He’s among options considered but not only one, Jeremy Monga remains separate deal for future and advancing.

Rogers/Barcola & more remain top targets.

[HandofArsenal @HandofArsenal]

Arsenal are in direct contact with Club Brugge to sign Christos Tzolis. As I reported earlier, player is very keen but the fee will be key. Data team at Arsenal highly impressed for a while with Greek winger.

Market opportunity which wont affect main target or Monga deal.

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 Arsenal exploring deal to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. 24yo left-sided winger expected to be gettable for ~€40m. Move for Greece international does not impact #AFC interest in Morgan Rogers or other options to strengthen attack @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/lBe1BINfU2

[HandofArsenal @HandofArsenal]

Bradley Barcola Situation

• Moussa Sissoko has been trying to renew Bradley Barcola’s contract for the best part of 9-12 months. Talks have been difficult, and it reached a point where both parties agreed to put negotiations on hold so that Barcola and PSG could focus on important fixtures in April and May.

• Soon after the UEFA Champions League final, talks resumed and remain ongoing. The player reportedly told people close to him that he was disappointed not to start a number of important fixtures.

• PSG’s position is clear: renew or we will sell, as his contract expires in June 2028. Personally, I think that is a significant stance for the club to take.

• Barcola’s agent also represents Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué and maintains a good relationship with PSG. The club is also in serious talks regarding Yan Diomande and Maghnes Akliouche, which could further influence the situation surrounding Barcola.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool are interested, but I want to explain Arsenal’s side of the story.

• Andrea Berta made serious enquiries into Barcola’s situation last summer. At the time, Arsenal were informed that the player would stay for at least one more year. Since then, Berta has remained in constant contact with Sissoko and has made it clear that Barcola is of serious interest to Arsenal. He has also asked to be notified if PSG become open to a sale. Should Arsenal make an official approach towards PSG, there will be a further update.

• Arsenal also hold an interest in Morgan Rogers and one other player(sensitive info currently). More on that in due course.

• As always, Andrea Berta is willing to agree personal terms with multiple targets and make a move when the timing suits Arsenal.

Before I sign off, there is something worth noting. Berta is very happy for misinformation to circulate publicly. Berta & Co are busy behind the scenes, and many details remain unknown as Arsenal move silently.

Allow me to provide a free exclusive as an example of that which is unknown. Arsenal made standard checks on Nico Paz. Nico was reportedly left confused following a recent call with Mourinho, although another conversation may be scheduled. Arsenal have also made serious checks on Christos Tzolis, the Greek winger.

My point is that a great deal is happening behind the curtain. Embrace the silence and, as always, choose your sources of information carefully.

HandofArsenal

[Purple Panel @PurplePanel]

🚨Arsenal are not actively pursuing a deal for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. Suggestions of interest understood to be driven by efforts to elevate the player’s market value through links to elite clubs. Andrea Berta expected to move aggressively this summer, but Fernandes is not currently viewed as a viable choice. #AFC

[AaronTheGooner @AaronTheGunner]

@PurplePanel Thank god