Transfer Gossip: Chelsea raid fails as Arsenal target Palace, West Ham stars in £150m double deal; Liverpool keen on £60m-rated Fulham sensation
Odsonne Edouard, Michael Olise, Roy Hodgson, Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace after Premier League win against Leeds at Elland Road
Arsenal are looking to raid two of their London rivals for a £150m-rated duo, Liverpool are tracking a Fulham star in a £60m deal, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims Leeds are demanding £80m for two of their brightest talents.
ARTETA EYES DOUBLE MIDFIELDER RAID TO PUSH ARSENAL HIGHER
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is setting his sights on an impressive double raid on Crystal Palace and West Ham this summer.
The Gunners are currently six points clear at the top of Premier League and in with a glorious chance of ending their 19-year title drought.
But while immediate attention is being placed on the hunt for the title, Arteta and Co are also preparing for next season too. And with the summer window opening for business in under two months’ time, preparation work is now underway.
Despite signing Jorginho in January, the Arsenal boss remains keen to strengthen his midfield.
And he has now set his sights on two players from neighbouring London clubs to boost his squad.
First up, the Gunners are looking to sign Crystal Palace playmaker Michael Olise. The midfielder is capable of playing in a variety of roles across midfield or on the wing.
And according to Football Transfers, a £40m approach is being prepped. However, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will not come cheap, and the Eagles may well hold out for a fee nearer the £50m mark.
The former Reading man though has impressed Arteta. And with two goals and eight assists this season, the Gunners boss believes he has what it takes to play at a higher level.
Arsenal also confident of Declan Rice deal – but Kante move fails
Arsenal also remain on the trail of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. And there is a growing confidence that a £100m deal will soon be struck.
Rice is now also wanted by Newcastle, according to The Sun. However, the Gunners remain strong favourites owing to their almost-certain guarantee of offering Champions League football, together with the player’s desire to stay in the capital.
As such, Arteta is ready to push through plans to sign the £150m duo quickly in the window to get their summer business off and running.
Arsenal’s move for the pair comes amid fresh claims that they saw an approach for N’Golo Kante batted away.
Per Le Parisien, Arsenal made an attempt to prise the Chelsea man in the January window, prior to the capture of Jorginho.
His deal at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in a matter of months. And with a new deal yet to be agreed, Arsenal were seemingly looking to pounce.
However, Kante quickly knocked back their advances with the 32-year-old preferring to stay at Chelsea than move to Arsenal. However, a move overseas cannot be discounted if the Blues fail to tie down their man.
READ MORE: Arsenal learn hugely appealing asking price for top midfield target as sellers identify replacement
LIVERPOOL IN HUNT TO SIGN JOAO PALHINHA
Liverpool are ready to make Fulham’s Joao Palhinha a top target this summer after watching him closely in recent weeks.
Jurgen Klopp is desperate to rebuild his midfield this summer after a difficult season left them facing missing out on the Champions League.
Jude Bellingham, for a long time, has been their No 1 target. But there is now an acceptance at Anfield that the costs involved for the Borussia Dortmund star far exceed what Liverpool are willing to pay.
And with the scale of the Reds’ rebuild now greater than first feared, Liverpool want three or four major new signings this summer.
To that end, the £130m required to sign Bellingham will now be put to better use.
As a result, a report on Wednesday named the six-man list of midfielders Klopp was keen to snare.
However, Football Insider now reports that Portugal star Palhinha has moved firmly up their wanted list.
The 26-year-old moved to Craven Cottage in a bargain £17m move last summer. But he has adapted brilliantly to Premier League football in his first season, spearheading Fulham’s impressive return to the top flight.
Now it has emerged that Liverpool are watching him closely with regards a summer swoop.
Any deal though will not come cheap with Fulham likely to demand a £60m fee for the tigerish midfielder.
LEEDS STICK £40M FEES ON MESLIER, GNONTO
Leeds United will demand £40m for any clubs looking to poach goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer.
The France Under-21 star has endured a tricky couple of weeks, shipping in 10 goals in his last three games. That includes a woeful 5-1 home thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace last Sunday.
However, Meslier will likely be in demand this summer as a number of clubs look to poach him from Leeds.
To that end, the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona are all reportedly keen.
Of the trio, a move to Spurs perhaps seems most likely. They are seeking a new No 1 to succeed Hugo Lloris this summer and could target his countryman.
Indeed, Brentford’s David Raya – valued at £45m – is also under consideration.
Now, according to Football Insider, Leeds are sticking a £40m price on Meslier’s head. And the club knows they will have no choice but to sell in the event of relegation.
The same outlet claims there is a similar fee also put on his Leeds United teammate Wilfried Gnonto.
The Italy star has impressed this season after a bargain £5.2m move from FC Zurich. And while he has been regularly benched by new boss Javi Gracia, he remains in high demand after some excellent displays.
The 19-year-old forward is reportedly on the radars of a number of Premier League and Serie A sides.
The strongest interest will likely come from Juventus, who are huge admirers of the breakout star.
But the report claims Leeds will try and dissuade his departure by placing a £40m fee on his head too.
