Arsenal news: Shock bid launched for ex-Man Utd star as transfer talks accelerate

Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his squad as Arsenal prepare to launch the defence of their Premier League title

Arsenal’s transfer window has been relatively quiet so far as Mikel Arteta prepares his Premier League champions for the defence of their title. Piero Hincapie remains the Gunners’ only senior arrival after the 24-year-old defender made his loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent in a £34.5million deal last month.

In terms of departures, Jakub Kiwior has already left north London for Porto, while forward Leandro Trossard is widely expected to follow him out of the door after a £17m deal was agreed with Besiktas. Activity is expected to gather pace in the coming weeks as pre-season gets underway and the World Cup enters its closing stages, allowing Arsenal to focus fully on strengthening the squad.

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Sporting director Andrea Berta has been handed a transfer budget of £250m as Arsenal look to build a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title and finally conquering Europe. A new midfielder and left winger remain at the top of Arteta’s wishlist, while defensive reinforcements are also understood to be a priority.

Mirror Football takes a look at the latest developments at the Emirates Stadium.

Shock bid prepared for ex-Man Utd star

England international Ben White could be one of the biggest names to leave Arsenal this summer after slipping down the pecking order at right-back. White has found opportunities harder to come by since the emergence of Jurrien Timber, while a series of injury setbacks over the past two seasons have further hampered his progress.

According to TEAMtalk, the Gunners have already drawn up a shortlist of 11 potential successors should the former Leeds United man choose to leave. Perhaps the most eye-catching name on that list is former Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The 28-year-old, who impressed during DR Congo ’s run to the Round of 32 at the World Cup, is understood to be open to a move after suffering relegation to the Championship with West Ham United last season. Widely regarded as one of the strongest one-on-one defenders in England, Wan-Bissaka has already attracted interest from Everton and Turkish side Fenerbahce.

The other right-backs said to be under consideration include Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio, Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza, RB Leipzig’s Lutsharel Geertruida, Monaco’s Vanderson, Roma’s Wesley, Sporting CP’s Ivan Fresneda and Feyenoord youngster Givairo Read.

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Midfielder pursuit gets boost

Arsenal have been handed a timely boost in their pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. While the Magpies continue to insist their skipper is not for sale, reports suggest an offer in the region of £65m could be enough to tempt the club into negotiations.

The Gunners have already seen a £45m bid rejected for the 28-year-old this window as Arteta looks to bolster his options in midfield. Talks are now expected to gather pace after Brazil were dumped out of the World Cup on Sunday evening.

Guimaraes finished the tournament with four assists but endured a heartbreaking exit after missing a penalty in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Norway, who will now face England in the quarter-finals. With his World Cup campaign now over, Guimaraes is expected to turn his full attention to resolving his club future, which could accelerate developments over a potential move to Arsenal.