Arsenal eyeing Prem defender as headline name in £70m double deal, but Fabrizio Romano brushes off striker signing claim
![Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi](https://images.ps-aws.com/c?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.teamtalk.com%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2F01083526%2Fcrystal-palace-centre-back-marc-guehi.jpg)
Chelsea linked Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi
Arsenal are weighing up a double deal worth around £70m for a Premier League centre-back and a LaLiga midfielder, though Fabrizio Romano poured cold water on a striker signing claim.
For the first time since mid-February and just the third week this season, Arsenal no longer sit atop the Premier League table. That honour belongs to Man City who have punished Arsenal’s loss of form at a time when they could least afford it.
Arsenal’s title hopes aren’t yet over, though it’ll take an unlikely collapse from City to lose the league from here.
Much soul searching will be done in north London this summer, though it cannot be argued Arsenal have taken giant strides forward this season.
Attention will quickly turn to the summer transfer window with Arsenal determined to bolster their ranks ahead of a first return to the Champions League since the 2016/17 campaign.
A new centre-half is wanted, with William Saliba’s late-season back injury proving reliable strength in depth isn’t there. Arsenal have not kept a single clean sheet in the six matches Saliba has missed.
Elsewhere, midfield reinforcements are wanted, with West Ham’s Declan Rice known to feature highly on Arsenal’s shopping list.
However, speaking to Caught Offside, trusted transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, has detailed another midfielder who’s catching their eye.
Arsenal return for Yunus Musah?
“I’ve mentioned Arsenal and Chelsea’s interest in Yunus Musah and it is the case that they are following Musah since January; Inter as well,” said Romano.
“At the moment it’s just scouting and not advanced yet, but Musah has good chances to move this summer.”
Musah, 20, was actually on Arsenal’s books between 2012-19 before leaving to join Valencia.
The USA international is a defensive midfielder and has also been mentioned alongside a move to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s push for midfield recruits is the No 1 transfer priority at Anfield this summer.
A £25m valuation has previously been cited for a player who would add steel and determination to whichever side he joins, though may be unlikely to be a starter from day one.
Arteta eyes Crystal Palace centre-back
Elsewhere, Romano claimed Arsenal are scouting Crystal Palace defender and England international, Marc Guehi.
The centre-half, 22, was an £18m signing from Chelsea two years ago. Guehi has formed a fine partnership with Joachim Andersen at Selhurst Park and his stellar displays over the past two seasons have seen his value soar.
Football Transfers touted a £45m price tag when discussing Guehi’s future back in April. Aside from Arsenal, Guehi is also admired at Tottenham.
Romano stressed Guehi to Arsenal is not advanced, though did confirm he is being watched by their scouts.
“There’s nothing advanced with Arsenal and Marc Guehi, but they are monitoring him, it’s just normal scouting,” said the journalist.
“No decision has been made and there’s nothing concrete at this stage on Guehi but many top clubs are following him.”
Vlahovic to Arsenal dismissed
Finally, Romano brushed off talk Juventus frontman, Dusan Vlahovic, has been offered to Arsenal.
Rumours from Italy have claimed the Serbian has been offered to both Arsenal and Bayern Munich by his representatives. Vlhaovic was previously on Arsenal’s radar during the window he joined Juventus from Fiorentina back in January of 2022.
However, Romano claimed if Vlahovic has been offered to the Gunners, he’s certainly not aware of it. What’s more, the reporter concluded Arsenal are “not working to sign Vlahovic”.
He said: “There have been reports of Dusan Vlahovic’s agent offering him to Arsenal, but I’m not aware of that, honestly.
“Arsenal are not working to sign Vlahovic at this stage and there’s absolutely nothing to report on that front.”