Arsenal ‘personal terms agreed’ as player’s agent jets in for transfer talks | Football | Sport
Mikel Arteta will be hoping to oversee a productive summer window (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal are on the verge of finalising two transfers that could significantly shape the remainder of their summer window. Piero Hincapie’s permanent arrival remains the Gunners’ only completed piece of business to date, but that looks set to change imminently. The World Cup has complicated matters by occupying some of the world’s elite talent. Nevertheless, that standstill will soon be resolved as the tournament enters its closing fortnight.
Mikel Arteta has matters to address regarding both incoming signings and outgoing departures as a hectic July intensifies. Here’s a look at the latest whispers from north London as the Gunners assemble their squad ahead of pre-season…
Personal terms ‘agreed’ with Kone
France international Manu Kone could become the first entirely fresh addition to Arsenal‘s ranks this summer.
Corriere della Sera has claimed that Arsenal have not only held discussions with his representatives but personal terms are already agreed between both parties.
This would mean the Gunners need only agree a fee with his current employers, Roma, and the player is theirs.
However, his participation with France at the World Cup this summer could delay negotiations somewhat.
Kone has featured in three of France’s five World Cup matches this summer.
That includes full 90-minute appearances in the group-stage victories over Norway and Iraq, followed by another assured display in the last-16 tie against Paraguay.
Roma are reportedly valuing the midfield enforcer at around £43m, a figure that would sit comfortably within Arsenal’s budget.
The 25-year-old still has three years remaining on the contract he penned upon joining the Giallorossi in 2024.
Arteta’s midfield resources looked severely stretched last season, hit hard by injuries to the likes of Mikel Merino and skipper Martin Odegaard.
It therefore appears Arsenal are determined to bring in at least one further addition this summer, with Kone seemingly fitting the bill perfectly.
Manu Kone has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Gunners (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Trossard’s agent flies for transfer talks
Leandro Trossard’s camp are reportedly preparing to travel to Istanbul for crunch talks with Besiktas.
The Black Eagles have been strongly linked with the Belgian winger for several months and now appear to be on the verge of finalising a deal.
Turkish publication Sabah reports that Arsenal have agreed terms for Trossard’s departure, with the fee understood to be in the region of £15.5m, marginally below the £17m transfer fee that had previously been anticipated.
It’s also reported that Trossard’s agent and lawyer were in London earlier this week, presumably to finalise matters with the Gunners on their side.
Nevertheless, confirmation is still awaited as to whether the Belgium international has approved personal terms.
Earlier this summer, Turkish media reports indicated Besiktas were considerably short of meeting the player’s wage demands.
Trossard was reportedly presented with an annual package of approximately £8.3m (roughly £160,000 a week) to move to Saudi side Diriyah earlier this summer.
Speculation linking him to Besiktas has persisted despite those reports, indicating they remain frontrunners for his signature.
Further developments could emerge imminently as Arsenal seek to generate some vital transfer funds.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page.
