Jesus warned off Arsenal move amid Chelsea ‘offer’ as Scamacca price disclosed

Jesus has emerged as Arsenal’s top target for the summer transfer window as they look to replace Alexandre Lacazette, but a deal for the Manchester City star is proving difficult

Arsenal are facing an increasingly challenging summer transfer window having missed out o qualification for the Champions League.

The Gunners are seeking reinforcements in several areas, with striker the position that is most in need of new recruits. Alexandre Lacazette has now officially joined Lyon, with Eddie Nketiah still yet to sign a new contract to extend his stay at the Emirates.

It means that Mikel Arteta needs to sign at least one new forward, but the lack of top-tier European football next term is putting off some targets. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Arsenal transfer news.

Saliba exit stance made clear

The future of William Saliba is set to be one of the biggest talking points of Arsenal’s summer. The Frenchman enjoyed a successful loan spell at Marseille last season, but there have been doubts about Mikel Arteta’s readiness to make him a part of his plans.

According to L’Equipe though, Arteta is already moving to prove to Saliba that he wants the defender to stay. It is claimed that the Gunners have told Saliba that ‘they want’ to extend his contract and that Arteta ‘counts on him’.

He is attracting interest from several sides, including Marseille, though, who are ready to pounce if Saliba requests an exit. Arteta’s stance would appear to make any deal ‘complex’ though it is not yet clear if the Spaniard’s words will turn into actions this summer.

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Gunners told Scamacca price

With a move for Jesus becoming increasingly difficult, Arsenal are also exploring alternative targets. One of those is Sassuolo star Gianluca Scamacca, who scored 16 goals in Serie A last season.

The Gunners have already made their opening bid for the 23-year-old, though Gazzetta dello Sport report that has been rejected. That bid was for £27m, with another £7m in bonuses, but that has not been enough to tempt Sassuolo into a deal.

The Serie A side are said to have taken a ‘strong stance’ over sanctioning a deal and have told Arsenal to up their bid. They are demanding a total package in the region of £42.5m, but will be ‘adaptable’ over the terms.

Jesus warned off Arsenal amid Chelsea ‘offer’

Gabriel Jesus has been warned off joining Arsenal after Manchester City reportedly ‘offered’ the striker to Chelsea instead. The Brazilian has emerged as the Gunners’ top target as they search for a new striker.

But The Telegraph claim that Jesus has already been offered to Chelsea, who are ‘acutely aware’ of their need for attacking reinforcements. And former Blues star Craig Burley believes a move to Arsenal would be a mistake for Jesus, if he is aiming to win major silverware.

“If I was Jesus, I think I would be inclined to sit and wait and see what comes along. It’s a difficult one for the player. He’s good enough to go somewhere and become this striker again – it’s whether he can persuade him to go to Arsenal where, is it all about the project? Arsenal are long off challenging for major honours,” Burley told ESPN.