Rumour reel: Arsenal latest
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What next for The Gunners?
Arsenal won the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, beating Premier League champions Chelsea in a thrilling contest. Few saw it coming pre-match, but Arsene Wenger’s side were, in the end, deserved winners of English football’s favourite prize.
So, what next for the London giants and, indeed, who next? Will Wenger now leave the club on a high, or remain in the job he loves despite pressure from the stands? We check on the latest transfer news concerning Arsenal.
Belotti likes it in London
Weekend newspaper gossip columns claim Arsenal are sizing up a big-money move for Italian Andrea Belotti, currently on the books at Torino. The 23-year-old striker has been capped a number of times for his country, from U19 through to senior level, and was on the scoresheet in a couple of World Cup qualifiers against lesser opposition. Serie A side Torino aren’t in a rush to get rid of their star attraction however, with a £100m release clause written into his contract, £85m thought to be the least they would accept to do business. Belotti is attracting attention from a number of Premier League big guns, but told reporters recently he’d favour a move to London over Manchester.
Competition for Dembele’s signature
Celtic striker Moussa Dembele is another said to be catching the eye down south. The Hoops hitman has been a sensation since joining Brendan Rodgers’ Parkhead revolution, and was subject to transfer speculation from the likes of West Ham and Chelsea during January. There’s little doubt he is enjoying his time with the treble-winning Glaswegians, but the end-game must be a move to the Premier League. The France U21 scorer has also caught the eye of Arsenal scouts, with countryman Wenger a keen admirer. There will be no lack of competition for his signature, as Celtic aim to get the best price.
And what of Wenger?
Players will come and go over the course of the summer transfer window, but the major story at the Emirates is the future of manager Arsene Wenger. The long-standing gaffer promised fans they will get a decision on his future this week, probably by Thursday, following a meeting with the club’s board on Tuesday. Many supporters want him out, but he doesn’t seem to be in a rush to leave, telling the press in a recent interview he still thinks he’s the best man for the job. Saturday’s FA Cup win muddies the waters further. Will the ‘Wenger Out’ placards be recycled?
