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USMNT forward Folarin Balogun looks set to leave Arsenal in the final days of the summer transfer window but he could be staying in London.

A report from the London Evening Standard says that Chelsea have asked Arsenal about Balogun and they have been quoted over $63 million to sign the USMNT striker.

Per the report, Chelsea have ‘sounded out’ Arsenal over the potential deal and the Blues are keen to bolster their attacking options after missing plenty of chances in their opening two games of the season.

Would this be a good move for Balogun? Hmm, probably not.

Mauricio Pochettino has Christopher Nkunku as his main forward but he’s out for the next few months through injury so come January, would Balogun be back on the bench at Chelsea and in the same situation he’s in at Arsenal? Probably.

Balogun, who has two years left on his contract, was brilliant on loan at Reims in France last season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. He has to play regularly to keep developing at the age of 22 he has to find a Premier League club where he can be the main man.

Somewhere like Crystal Palace or Fulham would be a perfect fit for him to develop, play week in, week out and show off his clinical finishing. The only issue? Arsenal want a lot of money for him and only the likes of Chelsea could afford him in the Premier League as other top clubs don’t really have a need for a new forward.

Balogun may have options in Europe but the same issue will crop up as Arsenal are asking for a big transfer fee. It seems like Arsenal will sell Balogun in the end but where he ends up may not be the best thing for his immediate future.

USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner is closing in on a move to Nottingham Forest from Arsenal.

According to several reports, including the one below from Fabrizio Romano, Turner will undergo his medical at Forest and join on a permanent deal. Turner was part of Arsenal’s squad on Sunday as they won the Community Shield at Wembley on penalty kicks against Manchester City.

However, Turner is unlikely to get ahead of Aaron Ramsdale to become Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper and per the same report, David Raya is their new target to be Ramsdale’s back-up.

Turner will do battle with Wayne Hennessey and fellow USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, while Dean Henderson is also expected to join from Manchester United. Given all of those goalkeeping options, it seems likely Turner will be the No. 1 at Forest and that is why he’s agreed to this move.

To become a regular for a Premier League club was the next step for Turner after he played in cup competitions for Arsenal last season.

USMNT striker Folarin Balogun is still an Arsenal player right now but it seems very likely he will be leaving north London soon.

After being linked with Inter Milan for most of the summer, Ligue 1 club AS Monaco have now made a bid for Balogun.

However, according to David Ornstein it has been turned down.

Balogun, 22, needs to play regularly and he isn’t going to get that at Arsenal. His 22 goals on loan at Stade de Reims last season catapulted his status as a clinical finisher and clubs across Europe want to sign him. But Arsenal want a big transfer fee and that is causing a problem.

What will Arsenal do if they can’t get the transfer fee they want for him? Another loan deal seems unlikely but so too does Balogun getting ahead of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and others in Arsenal’s attacking unit.

Given Arsenal’s big spending this summer, Balogun is one of their key assets they hope to sell to recoup plenty of cash. That is leaving the USMNT forward in a frustrating position.

So far, Brentford’s $51 million asking price for star goalkeeper David Raya has scared off suitors but Arsenal’s apparently ready to dip deeper into its pockets.

The Gunners were tipped by David Ornstein to go back in for Raya over the weekend and now Fabrizio Romano says that the Premier League runners-up have agreed to contract terms with the 27-year-old.

Now Arsenal will have to find a price agreement for the Spaniard, whose numbers at Brentford show a keeper very well suited for Mikel Arteta’s system.

This could eventually find Aaron Ramsdale in the backup’s role and Matt Turner on his way out for playing time

USMNT defender Auston Trusty could well be on the move in the Premier League as Sheffield United want to sign him from Arsenal.

Trusty, 24, has been at Arsenal over the last few seasons after joining from the Colorado Rapids. He excelled on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship last season (he won the Blues’ player of the season) and now reports from The Daily Telegraph and our partners in the UK at Sky Sports says that the Blades want to sign him.

Per Sky Sports, Sheffield United are willing to pay $6.4 million for Trusty. There are also reports suggesting a season-long loan could be likely.

Whatever the deal turns out to be, this is a very good move for Trusty. He was excellent in the Championship and he deserves this chance to play in the Premier League. New boys Sheffield United need defensive reinforcements and Trusty has a chance to be a regular in the Steel City.

Center back is an area where the USMNT need more options too and Trusty playing week in, week out in the Premier League will only boost his chances of being a big part of Gregg Berhalter’s plans over the next few years ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

David Ornstein is reporting that Arsenal wants competition for Aaron Ramsdale beyond current backup Matt Turner.

USMNT backstop Turner is being linked with a move away from Arsenal, who is said to be considering a bid for Brentford’s David Raya. Bayern Munich’s been linked with Raya, but Ornstein says only for a loan not the $50 million wanted by Brentford.

Raya’s advanced stats are well clear of Ramsdale, particularly when it comes to ball possession and cross collection.

Ornstein says Nottingham Forest has been eyeing Turner, though the Tricky Trees have a different figure in mind than the Gunners would expect for the 29-year-old American. Turner played seven times for Arsenal last season, keeping four clean sheets but never playing in the Premier League.

Forest currently have fellow USMNT keeper Ethan Horvath and Welsh veteran Wayne Hennessey on the books and have been pursuing a reunion with Man United’s Dean Henderson. Horvath has been linked with multiple clubs in the Championship following a starring role in Luton Town’s promotion.

Where will USMNT star Folarin Balogun end up this summer? Might an introduction to the Champions League be in the stars, whether he stays at Arsenal or not.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Inter Milan wants Balogun on a permanent deal and that the 22-year-old os open to that, though the fee asked by Arsenal could be prohibitive.

Balogun scored 21 times with two assists on loan to Reims last season in Ligue 1. He’s also been loaned to Middlesbrough, where he scored three times with three assists in the Championship. That’s in addition to his 10 Arsenal appearances with two goals and an assist.

He joined the USMNT this summer and scored in one of his two CONCACAF Nations League appearances for the nation. The New York-born, London-raised center forward is one of the keys to Gregg Berhalter’s program and playing time and development are key to his next club.

Declan Rice has finally been confirmed as an Arsenal player as the Gunners have smashed their transfer record to buy the central midfielder from West Ham for $137.4 million.

Rice, 24, has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal who will pay the transfer fee in two instalments over the next 48 months and there are also add-ons in the deal.

Mikel Arteta introduced Rice and fellow new signing Jurrien Timber to the squad ahead of their preseason tour to the USA and here’s what the Gunners boss said about Rice arriving.

“We’re really happy that Declan is joining us. He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now. Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here,” Arteta said.

“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy. The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”

Rice added that he is looking forward to ‘hopefully winning some trophies together’ and said he is delighted to be joining the team as he’s been so impressed with Arsenal over the last few years.

After days and weeks of rumors and reports, Arsenal finally have their center back of the future, after 22-year-old Jurrien Timber was unveiled as the Gunners’ second signing of the summer transfer window. Timber joins Chelsea forward Kai Havertz as the new boys for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal are not messing around this summer and their spending is about to creep closer to $270 million.

According to our partners in the UK at Sky Sports, Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is about to complete his $48 million move from Ajax to Arsenal.

Timber, 22, is a versatile defender who can play at center back or right back and his quality on the ball is perfect for the way Mikel Arteta loves to play.

Add in Timber’s signing to Declan Rice’s imminent arrival for $134 million and Kai Havertz already signing from Chelsea for $83 million and that is over $250 million spent on three players this summer by the Gunners. Quality over quantity is the name of the game for Arteta as he prepares for the UEFA Champions League this season and there is something Manchester City-esque about the way Arsenal are doing their transfer business this summer.

It appears Arsenal will be bringing some Rice with them to the United States of America this summer. Declan Rice, to be exact.

According to a report from our partners in the UK at Sky Sports, the plan is for Rice to finalize his $134 million move from West Ham to Arsenal this week and be on their plane leaving for the USA on Sunday.

Rice, 24, has been incredible over the last few seasons and after leading West Ham to UEFA Europa Conference League glory last season, now was the perfect time for him to move on with just one year left on his contract.

Declan Rice to Arsenal should be completed soon as the structure of how the huge $134 million transfer fee will be paid has reportedly been agreed.

According to The Guardian, Arsenal will pay $127 million to West Ham in three instalments over the next two years. There are also add-ons of close to $7 million.

Per the report, Rice will have his medical at Arsenal this week and will soon be confirmed as their player. The England international always wanted this move to the Gunners and he is set to become the focal point of Mikel Arteta’s midfield with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey moving on.

Rice is worth this huge transfer fee and he has everything Arsenal need to become more powerful and reliable in the engine room as he will win the ball back and feed their talented attacking unit.

Arsenal are having a very busy summer and Mikel Arteta will reportedly add another central midfielder after sealing the deal for Declan Rice.

According to The Times, Arsenal will bid for Romeo Lavia from Southampton as soon as the deal for Rice is confirmed. Per the report, Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the Belgian international midfielder who was superb as a teenager in the Premier League last season.

$63.6 million is the price Southampton want for Lavia who joined from Manchester City last summer. The likes of Chelsea and Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the 19-year-old who is very good at winning the ball back, reading the game and getting his team on the front foot.

Lavia will be a perfect player to sit alongside Rice in Arsenal’s midfield as the duo of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey both appear to be moving on this summer.

USMNT striker Folarin Balogun will be a target for plenty of teams this summer but quite a few may be put off by this price tag. According to our partners in the UK at Sky Sports, Arsenal have slapped a $63 million value on Balogun. The striker had a sensational season on loan at Reims in Ligue 1 last season (scoring 22 goals) and impressed for the USMNT as they won the CONCACAF Nations League in June. This price tag does seem a little step for the 22-year-old forward but his clinical finishing is there for all to see so maybe this is the price you pay for a striker who will probably score 10-plus goals a season in one of Europe’s top five leagues?

Done deal.

This is now getting very interesting and seems like it will end with Declan Rice playing for Arsenal. According to our partners in the UK at Sky Sports, Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice as they aren’t prepared to up their bid of $114 million. With Arsenal having a bid of $130 million rejected by West Ham on Tuesday due to issues over the structure of the deal, the report says talks between the two London clubs are continuing on Wednesday. Is Rice worth this much? Hardly any player is. But one thing is for sure: if Arsenal sign Rice then their midfield will be set for most of the next decade. He’s that good and will make everyone else around him better. Now they are this close, Arsenal have to make this happen.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Rice to Arsenal could be confirmed over the next 36 hours as everybody is clear that he will be heading to the Gunners.

Okay, so this is getting very tasty now. According to Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, Manchester City have had a bid of $114 million rejected by West Ham, as the race to sign Declan Rice is heating up. With Arsenal said to be the favorites to sign Rice, the England international is now attracting huge interest from the treble winners and he would be perfect for the way Manchester City play. Imagine Rodri and Declan Rice winning the ball back time and time again to feed Kevin de Bruyne and Co.? That would be ridiculous. Various reports says that Rice wants to stay in London and Arsenal is his preferred destination but the Gunners are yet to agree a fee with West Ham and the latter now have City involved so the price for Rice will be driven up further.

Arsenal are moving closer to signing Jurrien Timber, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Dutch defender, 22, is a top target for the Gunners and per the latest report, Arsenal have made a second bid closer to Ajax’s asking price. Timber is versatile and comfortable on the ball and he can either play at center back or right back and will provide Mikel Arteta with a big upgrade in his defensive options. Timber has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time and this seems like the perfect club at the perfect time.

It appears that Kai Havertz will be announced as an Arsenal player early next week. Multiple reports, including the Guardian and Fabrizio Romano, say that Havertz’s move from Chelsea to Arsenal will become official. Havertz, 24, will reportedly cost Arsenal up to $81 million and his ability to link up and slot in anywhere across the final third is exactly why Mikel Arteta has made him a priority signing this summer. Havertz would not have been a great fit for the way Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to play and moving on now is a very smart move by him.

Kai Havertz is on the verge of moving from west London to north London, and returning to the UEFA Champions League in the process, after Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly agreed on an $83-million transfer fee for the 24-year-old German international. Mikel Arteta reportedly made signing Havertz a top priority to begin the summer transfer window as he adds greater depth and versatility to a squad which ran a strong Premier League title race but faltered down the stretch last season. Havertz’s positional flexibility and defensive work rate will make him a valuable piece of Arteta’s puzzle, aside from his goals and assists output.

It appears that Arsenal really, really want Kai Havertz from Chelsea. Per a report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal have made a verbal offer of $76.4 million for Havertz after Chelsea rejected their initial offer for the German forward. It is clear that Chelsea must balance the books this summer and they are going to move on more than 15 players as Todd Boehly and Co., totally rebuild the squad once again. Chelsea should snap off Arsenal’s hand for this huge fee for Havertz. Why? Havertz just won’t fit Mauricio Pochettino’s system and overall he has struggled with the tempo of the Premier League (yes, I know, he scored the winner in the Champions League final...) since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2020. However, his versatility and the way he glides between the attacking lines means he is perfect for Arsenal’s system and Mikel Arteta is being very savvy in trying to make the most of Chelsea’s need to balance the books. In the right system and alongside the right players, Havertz could be lethal and he is much more than a goalscorer.

Arsenal are ‘working on a deal’ to sign Ajax and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber. Per David Ornstein, Arsenal have offered $38.1 million for Timber, who is a versatile defender. It is believed Timber would be asked to play as a center back or a right back in the Ben White role and like Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left of Arsenal’s defense, Timber is very comfortable coming inside with the ball and almost playing as a central midfielder. Timber was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer but it seems like the Gunners are now leading the charge. If they can agree a deal with Ajax, this would be another very smart signing and a big upgrade on the right-side of their defense.

Okay, it is moving forward. According to a report from our partners in the UK at Sky Sports, Arsenal have submitted a second bid of $114 million to West Ham for Declan Rice. Per the report, the Gunners have offered $95 million up front plus $19 million in add ons. Rice, 24, is Arsenal’s main target this summer and with just one year left on his contract at West Ham this is a monster offer. Can West Ham afford to refuse this? Probably not. But Fabrizio Romano has stated that the bid has been rejected as West Ham expect Manchester City to bid for Declan Rice this week and the Guardian have also reported that the Hammers want $127.3 million for Rice.

West Ham obviously want to drive the price as high as possible but given Rice’s desire to move on and all he has done for the club, this seems like a fair offer from Arsenal to West Ham. If this move happens, Arsenal’s talented young side has just got one of the best young central midfielders in the game and Rice is only going to get better. This is the perfect signing for Mikel Arteta’s side and a perfect fit for Rice as he aims to keep Arsenal in title pushes for many years to come. (JPW)

A report from The Daily Telegraph says that Thomas Partey will be allowed to leave Arsenal this summer if the Gunners find a suitable replacement. That replacement is believed to be Romeo Lavia, as the Belgian youngster is one of their top midfield targets alongside Declan Rice. With Granit Xhaka expected to move on to Bayer Leverkusen in the coming weeks, Partey, 30, is also surplus to requirements. The Ghanian midfielder struggled massively in the final months of last season and Mikel Arteta wants to rebuild his engine room. When you look around Arsenal’s team, central midfield is the main area they need to improve in and despite being very solid for most of his time with the Gunners Partey can have no complaints if he is moved on this summer.