Arsenal understood to be planning what could be the biggest transfer deal as they are reportedly monitoring the situation of Man United superstar Marcus Rashford amid continued uncertainty over his contract.

The 25-year-old forward was on the Gunners’ radar in 2022 as Mikel Arteta registered his interest with the player’s camp.

It is understood that manager Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the England international and will attempt to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Red Devils have triggered Rashford‘s 12-month extension clause recently, but he is still only contracted at Old Trafford until June 2024 as they have no intention of selling him to any club even outside England.

Rashford remains one of United’s best this season with 21 goals and eight assists in 34 appearances as a regular starter.

Arsenal have been hurt by the long-term injury to Gabriel Jesus and they have no confidence in Eddie Nketiah, despite proving to be a more than capable deputy.

The rebuilding of the Gunners team will continue with the signing of new players in the summer transfer window and Rashford could be a part of it.

Howbeit, it could cost Arsenal a record fee if United eventually agree to the deal because he is regarded as their prized asset.

Manchester United attacker, Dimitar Berbatov, has warned his former club that they might regret if they make a ‘strange’ transfer move for West Ham captain Declan Rice in the summer window.

According to him, they already have Casemiro and would not need the England international.

Rice remains a major target for Mikel Arteta in the coming summer transfer window but they face competition from their London rivals Chelsea as the player is not willing to sign a new deal with West Ham United.

“Declan and Casemiro play in the same position, but the main difference between them is that one of them is 24-years-old and the other is 30-years-old,” Berbatov told Betfred.

“Of course, clubs are going to be after Declan Rice and the main thing that Declan will want from a new club is the promise that he is going to play.

“If he went to Manchester United, then he is going to want to play, demand to play and he is not going to want to sit on the bench.”

He added, “He won’t go to Manchester United if he believes there is a chance that he may be a backup to Casemiro.

“It would be strange if Manchester United bought Declan Rice, considering that they have just bought Casemiro from Real Madrid.”

Man Utd are ‘set to rival’ Arsenal in the race to sign Inter Milan and Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez this summer.

The 25-year-old has consistently been linked with a move to the Premier League over the past few seasons and the Gunners have always been mentioned in his chase.

Although the Argentina star struggled to make an impact in the World Cup and was rightly criticised for his performances. He revealed that he was in “unbearable agony” during the tournament.

“When I arrived at the World Cup, I couldn’t even kick the ball, as my ankle was in unbearable agony. I was very happy to see Julian’s extraordinary form because he was able to give the squad something that at that moment I could not,” Martinez admitted.

“At a certain point, Leo Messi came over and told me to focus on recovering, because I would be very useful to the team in the final minutes of games.

“I already felt that ankle pain when playing for Inter and I told the coach clearly what the situation was, so I asked to rest in order to prepare for the first group game. I played against Saudi Arabia with the aid of pain-killing injections, but I still couldn’t train regularly.”

Glen Johnson has handed a major blow to Arsenal as he told West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to consider a move to Chelsea instead of the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window.

Declan Rice would be top on the list for the Gunners in the summer and he is understood to be keen on the move after asking friends about life at the Emirates Stadium.

However, the Gunners face serious competition from Chelsea for the midfielder who is valued at €100 million.

Quizzed about which club Rice should pick, Johnson told Lord Ping: ‘In terms of career longevity, I think somewhere like Chelsea.

‘They have obviously got big plans, the owners have come in and put the money on the line, they clearly want to be a success and they have got a fantastic coach.

‘He will get the best footballing side out of Declan I think, so I just see them competing within the next sort of three years, more so than Arsenal.’

The summer transfer window is still far away and a lot is expected to happen before his move is expected. That is expected to play a major role in determining the destination of the England international midfielder.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has told Arsenal to forget about signing midfielder Youri Tielemans

According to the manager, Tielemans will commit to a new contract at the King Power Stadium.

The midfielder has been on the wish list of the Gunners for several transfer windows but Rodgers believes that Leicester can still convince Tielemans to pen fresh terms.

“It has gone on for a while, but it’s all based around the player, ultimately. His commitment is no less now to what it was when I first came in – if not even more. He’s loved his time here and is still loving his time here,” Rodgers told a press conference.

“I respect that he’s in his last year, of course I want to tie him down. He’s been a brilliant player for this club and is still at a great age. It’s something that has to be right for all parties.

“Until I’m told he’s not here, we work very well together. He’s a coach’s dream, with his professionalism and view of the game.

“Nothing changes for me in that aspect, we just continue to hopefully find a resolution to it and have him sign here. I think it’s one where we want to do everything we can to convince him to stay.”

Man City manager Pep Guardiola has dropped a hint on why the Wednesday clash between his side and Arsenal may not be taken seriously.

The Gunners move into the game with three points ahead of Man City but that have not been in their best in their last two games with a defeat against Everton and another draw against Brentford last weekend.

Pundits and fans have looked forward to the Wednesday game but Guardiola has talked down the game.

While admitting that a win for his team will be an important victory, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said the game will not determine who wins the Premier League title.

Guardiola said: “We felt it in the FA Cup. They are the best team in the league at the moment. They are committed, sharp and everything. It’ll be a big, big battle. We’ll have to be ready.

“I don’t believe that one week ago we are out of form and now we are back. Every game is different. You can play well and win, everything is perfect, tomorrow you can lose and everything is not good. Many games to play, points to play for. Tomorrow is important, everyone knows it. We have to play well.

“Of course it is important because we can take the points against the best team in the league, but after it is Nottingham Forest, then the Champions League. Many things can happen. The target is to be there in the last eight to ten games. Tomorrow will help us to be there [if we win].”

On whether this is the best Arsenal team he has faced with Manchester City, Guardiola added: “Since I’m here, yeah, definitely.”

Alan Hutton has told Arsenal that they are well-placed to sign Declan Rice ahead of Chelsea in the coming summer transfer window.

This is as he backed Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team that splash out on the England international.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said that Rice has done as much as he can for West Ham.

When asked if the Gunners will be willing to fork out for the midfielder in the summer, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think there is always a premium with English young talent and that is never really going to change.

“Do I think he is a £100m player? That is a lot of money. From what we have seen in recent windows that is about right.

“He has done as much as he can for West Ham now and he is probably wanting a fresh challenge and Champions League football.

“Arsenal, in the situation they are in at the moment in time, they are going for the league and pushing for trophies. That means they are going to have to strengthen every single window if they want to stay where they are.

“I think that is a player who will make them stronger.

“If they get one or two injuries in the midfield they are probably a bit light. So I think he is one they are willing to spend a lot of money on.“

Football Pundit Noel Whelan says he is in ‘no doubt’ about Bukayo Saka signing a new deal to keep him at Arsenal.

This is as reports hints that the North London outfit has reached £41.2m agreement with the youngster.

Whelan added that he also expects Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to get “massive” new deals with Champions League qualification a “100%” certainty.

The former Leeds striker was speaking exclusively to Football Insider in reaction to the news that Gabriel Martinelli signed a new contract at the club.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Martinelli 100% deserves a contract with the season he’s having.

“But it’s about Saliba and Saka now. That is two integral parts of the squad.

“They’ve got to go all out to get them signed up.

“I think the sticking point was about Champions League qualification, but they’re 100% going to be playing in that competition next season.

“And that’s if they don’t go one step further and win the league.

“There’s no doubt that they look both happy and they deserve a massive new deal for what they’ve brought to this club.”

A host of European clubs are reported to be interested in the signature of Bukayo Saka.