Mikel Arteta’s side are being linked with an £80m star who has spoken with Gunners players and Mikel Arteta may have been handed a huge boost
Mikel Arteta already boasts a historic Premier League triumph and now aims to overcome Paris Saint-Germain for the Champions League trophy.
The Gunners won’t shift their focus entirely towards the summer transfer market until Saturday’s decisive clash in Budapest reaches its conclusion. Nevertheless, a pair of developments look set to significantly enhance Arsenal’s prospects ahead of the most significant match of their campaign.
There are also movements on the transfer scene after one rumoured target revealed he’s already been in dialogue with individuals at the club. Here’s all the latest developments from around the Emirates in greater depth as the club eyes further glory.
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Kroupi already in dialogue with Arsenal stars
Eli Junior Kroupi is one name being discussed widely among Arsenal fans and some at the Emirates have already made contact with the striker, reports the Mirror.
Though this remains strictly unofficial, given it’s not the club’s hierarchy who are communicating with the teenager.
Instead, it’s members of Arteta’s own playing staff, who have reached out to express gratitude to the Frenchman for his title-clinching heroics.
Naturally, Kroupi’s sublime curler against Manchester City last week, which secured Arsenal’s championship status, has only intensified rumours of the Gunners’ interest in the reportedly £80million-valued 19-year-old.
When asked if any Arsenal players had reached out to congratulate him on his goal against City, Kroupi told Stadium Astro: “Yes I have received many messages but I tell myself that I didn’t do this for Arsenal.
“I do this for Bournemouth. I can say I scored against Arsenal, I scored against City. It doesn’t change anything, I just wanted to help my team.”
Such a response further highlights the exceptional maturity of the player. It’s hardly surprising that the youngster, who transferred to the Cherries from Lorient last summer for a mere £10million, has made such an impact in the Premier League this season.
However, it may require more than financial incentives to lure him away from the Vitality Stadium this summer.
When questioned about his future ambitions, Kroupi expressed excitement at the prospect of spearheading Bournemouth’s European campaign next season.
He said: “Perform with my team and perform also in Europe also because it is very beautiful to be in Europe but you have to perform to play there.”
PSG risk losing two key stars
In news that’s bound to be welcomed at the Emirates, both Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi are battling fitness concerns ahead of Saturday’s showpiece.
With fewer than seven days remaining before the sides meet at the Puskas Arena, Luis Enrique is still awaiting medical bulletins on the pair.
Hakimi, 27, has been absent since sustaining a hamstring injury during PSG’s semi-final first-leg encounter with Bayern Munich. The defender missed the return fixture and could be ruled out of the Arsenal decider as well.
Dembele, on the other hand, continues to recover from a calf problem sustained in the recent Paris derby against Paris FC. His early withdrawal in that match caused alarm amongst the PSG faithful, though his setback is considered less serious than his team-mate’s.
L’Équipe has suggested there are genuine concerns that Hakimi won’t be fit to face Arsenal from the start.
The uncertainty surrounding Dembele isn’t thought to be as acute, but anxieties will heighten should he remain absent from training this week.
For his part, Dembele has attempted to ease worries about his condition in recent statements. PSG supporters will arguably be most eager to see him, above anyone else, take the field against the Gunners.
“I’m doing very well. I had a slight scare against Paris FC, but I’m fine and I’ll be ready for the final,” he recently told RMC Sport. “Will I be 100% for the final? Yes, yes, I think so, yes, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt about it, I hope to be on the pitch on May 30.”