Cant sugarcoat it, thats really bad from us. Had the player fully sold on the pathway. Made an initial and expected lower bid and expected Leicester to fold and not go to a tribunal because we wanted a fair price. Everyone involved expected it to get done. Enzo knows Monga / City have come in late and strong.
Arsenal also monitoring Saliba’s back condition and he could potentially need a minor procedure of some sort. Nothing decided yet.
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal are discussing internally to return with new bid for Bruno Guimarães after £55m immediately rejected.
Newcastle mantain their stance with player’s camp and #AFC, no plans to sell the Brazilian. 🇧🇷
🎥➕ https://t.co/XY0RcXbWc0
🚨 EXC: Arsenal set to make second approach to Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes
💰 Proposal being readied but NUFC stance is NOT for sale
⬇️ Details w/@TomCollomosse
https://t.co/Dcf26x5njH
As far as I am aware this is what has been going on. Arsenal were interested in Fernandes / Tonali / Pablo Barrios (exclusive). When Tonali was offered to us at the end of January, it peaked everyone's interest at the club. Berta kept in contact as did City. It became clear the deal was not feasible due to Newcastle wanting £85m or even more. To further add, the agent fees are incroyable. Barrios was not available for several reasons. Fernandes is heavily involved with Jorge Mendes and it became quickly apparent that there would be a bidding war at a minimum of £85m. It has now even been stated, 'whoever pays the most can have him'.
Berta then made contact multiple times to explore the situation of Alex Scott, the interest is real and there was a feeling a potential bargain could be secured around £65m. Bournemouth began to panic while Alex Scott was out in the USA with the England pre camp and want to rush to secure a renewal for Scott with a possible release clause. Their stance currently is he is not for sale at any price.
Is it becoming apparent we have approximated budget for the midfielder? (Investing in other areas)
As for Bruno G let me clarify… Berta made contact with his camp via Kia. A loose offer below £60m was floated to Newcastle via these middle men to understand their appetite for any deal. Newcastle say he is not for sale. Kia being involved is something you must keep an eye on for reasons every Arsenal fan should be aware of. When an offer is serious, it is officially submitted to the club hence me saying Newcastle have had no contact yet from Arsenal as of 9am. Newcastle will not lose both of their midfielders, so maybe Berta tried a cheeky offer before the Tonali deal has gone through. Until a serious offer is presented or our budget changes, we wait.
Arsenal have contacted the likes of Bouaddi / Kone and others I don’t want to discuss yet but no one else is providing these step by step updates and its incredibly exhausting. Personally think Bouaddi or Bruno would be incredible.
Julian Alvarez Update
If you remember, I stated there was another attacker I chose to keep anonymous. That player was indeed Julian Alvarez. The reason I said it was sensitive was because one of our players (Gyökeres) was potentially involved but let me just provide the facts for Arsenal fans. To my understanding the following statements are 100% factual.
• The players dream is Barca (personal terms agreed already)
• Barca have always wanted Julian to go public with his desire to force Atleti's position
• Atleti are adamant they will not to sell to Barca and would rather sell abroad but it wont stop Barca from trying
• PSG to my understanding left the race due to Campos / Enrique not wanting a player who doesn’t absolutely prioritise them but I wont be shocked if they return due to the players quality
• Julian has been a target for Arsenal since last summer
• After our group stage game Arteta made it clear we must atleast be in the race for the Argentine
• I can 100% confirm Atleti have interest in Viktor Gyökeres
• Andrea Berta has maintained contacts with the camp since last summer and has explored 'different structures & mechanisms' to bring Julian Alvarez to North London in the recent months…
• Reports about 'the English weather' being a reason Julian and his family would not return to England are absolutely false.
• The player would be very open to joining Arsenal and has directly told us should his dream to Barca become impossible
• Arsenal are yet to officially formalise their interest but Atleti are well aware of our interest.
The situation is chaotic but my role is to provide the absolute facts to the best of my knowledge in real time not predict the future. Its difficult enough tracking Berta and his 1000 spinning plates technique, its even harder when he silently speaks to ex-colleagues at Atleti with whom he has a lot of trust with but I have presented the facts. Genuinely feel a lot of relief talking about this all as its been exhausting to track for 14 months. I need to sleep now as I have been awake all night contacting sources 😂
Morgan Rogers Update
• Morgan Rogers has given preference to joining the English champions. Other clubs are still actively in the race but acknowledge the player's current preference.
• Morgan Rogers has respectfully communicated his desire to leave to senior figures at Villa (significant).
• Personal terms have been explored and are not a hindrance at all.
• Morgan Rogers is sold on the Mikel Arteta project and plan for him.
• Morgan Rogers was on the shortlist of attacking reinforcements Arsenal discussed last summer.
• My understanding is that Villa and Arsenal are in contact through unofficial channels regarding any potential deal. Remember my words: the fee is key to this deal. The player is fully on board.
• Andrea Berta has asked to be kept fully informed about any other club making a move for Morgan. If Arsenal do make a move, there will be another update.
Chelsea, in particular, have been pleading with Morgan to showcase their plan for him, but as of today, the response is "Arsenal." Manchester United have also explored the situation of Morgan, with Carrick being a big fan.
Bradley Barcola and one other player are also of interest to Arsenal. Details on that in due time.
Arsenal are also in direct contact with multiple midfielders, as recently as a few days ago. The likes of Bouaddi, Scott, Kone, Larsson, and two others. As I mentioned yesterday, we are yet to make contact with any club officially while Berta explores personal terms with all of them. One of these players is convinced he is joining Arsenal. It's important to remember that Livramento also felt the same way, but it highlights how strong the conversations are.
Arsenal are also monitoring the Madrid midfielder situation. Tonali was offered to us in January; talks have never surpassed personal terms as of today. These clubs are using Elliot Anderson's deal as a market scale. Newcastle want crazy money, as do Palace for Wharton.
Personally, I hope its Ayyoub Bouaddi we accelerate a move for!
Taking a very short holiday. I'll be back!
HandofArsenal
https://t.co/FlJpEu3RFz
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.
🚨 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
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
Arsenal have real interest in Bradley Barcola.
I will update soon on the situation. There are things to explain about his situation that need clarifying.