Your morning Arsenal transfer roundup on Saturday, December 17.
Arsenal handed huge Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer boost as Lazio star 'changes mind'
Italian football journalist Giulio Cardone has provided a major update Milinkovic-Savic's future which may alert Arsenal to his availability in the January transfer window. Cardone claims the north Londoners attempted to sign Milinkovic-Savic in the summer but the player was not keen, but now he is now open to the transfer following the Gunners' strong start to the season as they sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
It's understood that Milinkovic-Savic would consider a move if a fair proposal was put on the table with his agent, former Chelsea striker, Mateja Kezman looking to secure offers for his client. Cardone suggests a deal may not happen until the summer for Milinkovic-Savic, but given Arsenal's battle with Manchester City at the top of the table, his arrival may be the catalyst for the north Londoners to continue fighting until the end of the campaign.
Speaking to Italian radio station Radiosei, Cardone said: "Arsenal on Milinkovic? The news is that the player has changed his opinion on the English club which already tried to approach him last summer.
"If a fair proposal were to arrive this time, he would consider it. Today, the Gunners are dominating the Premier League, they will go to the Champions League, they have started a fascinating project, they have acquired a different appeal.
"Agent Kezman has been probing various clubs for some time to then bring offers to Lazio. In the summer he had garnered serious interest from the London club [Arsenal] and Newcastle."
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Edu faces Tottenham transfer obstacle as Arsenal pursue Nicolo Zaniolo deal
Arsenal have two chances to sign Roma and Italy star Nicolo Zaniolo who was close to making the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the summer, according to reports. The 23-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the season with his current deal at Roma expiring in six months.
Italian outlet Radio Radio claims there have been no talks over a renewal to the contract in recent months. The club's president Dan Friedkin is still weighing up whether to walk away from talks with the player or accept Zaniolo's demands for a significant increase in salary.
The report also claims Arsenal are interested in Zaniolo and could sign him for a bargain fee of around £21.8million (€25million) between now and the end of the season. The Gunners could also wait and sign the player on a free transfer when his contract expires in July, with Edu putting in the groundwork ahead of the end of the campaign and agreeing a pre-contract agreement with the Italian playmaker.
Spurs would no doubt be in the mix to contact Zaniolo's representatives and become an obstacle in any deal Arsenal may look to agree. The 23-year-old can play as a central midfielder or on the wing, making him a valuable asset to any squad with the potential to develop into a world-class player.
Mykhaylo Mudryk 'pushing' for Shakhtar Donetsk transfer exit
Mykhaylo Mudryk is still trying to force through a move to the Gunners, although the north London outfit are in disagreement with Shakhtar Donetsk over a big part of the deal, according to TEAMtalk. The Ukraine international has already admitted he would find it hard to "say no" if the Gunners came in with a bid for him.
Shakhtar are said to be holding out for roughly £88million to let him leave in the window, but the winger himself hinted that his value should be around £40million following an Instagram post during the World Cup. football.london understands that interest in the Ukraine international has existed for some time and sporting director Edu Gaspar will be hoping he can find a breakthrough in negotiations and secure a move for Mudryk.
The 21-year-old has already been overwhelmed by Arsenal fans' desperation for him to join the Gunners on social media. Last month, he said: “I follow Arsenal closely, they’re a very dynamic side.
"One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me. No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them, they always tell me – come to us!”
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey told TEAMtalk: “Mudryk is pushing for [his] Arsenal move and Arsenal are pushing for him – but there is an issue over the fee. Shakhtar Donetsk are demanding Jack Grealish (£100m) money, and for a player who has only played in Ukraine, that is a tough call – despite knowing how talented he is.
“Arsenal expect they can strike a deal, but they know they are likely to have to agree a club-record deal to get him.”
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