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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Tom Kershaw

Arsenal transfer news: Philippe Coutinho, Dayot Upamecano, Emile Smith Rowe, Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal will sign Philippe Coutinho on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, according to L’Equipe.

The Brazilian has fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp after a hot and cold season and Arsenal are set to make a shock move for the No 10, despite already having spent £72m on Nicolas Pepe.

However, ESPN claim the club have never had an interest in Coutinho and are only in the market for a centre-back before the window closes on Thursday at 5pm.

Arsenal have also made a £55m bid for RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, according to The Daily Mail.

The highly touted France U21 international is one of the most coveted prospects in Europe, but Leipzig are determined that any deal include Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe as part of the deal.

The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Liepzig who rate the midfielder highly. Smith Rowe is valued at £25m and was set to be sent out on loan again this season.

Daniele Rugani is an alternative target for Arsenal.

Juventus’ sporting director is in London after talks with Manchester United over Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala, but have reportedly already had a loan bid turned down with the Italian champions keen to secure £50m for the 25-year-old.

The frayed nature of Arsenal’s defence has turned threadbare after Laurent Koscielny‘s move to Bordeaux nears finalisation. 

Laurent Koscielny’s departure is expected to be confirmed imminently (Getty)

The club captain went on strike ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the US but Arsenal were determined to recoup a fee for the 34-year-old and now look set to net £4.6m, according to BBC.

Bayern Munich are interested in midfield prospect Joe Willock, according to Sky Sports.

Joe Willock is reportedly being targeted by Bayern Munich (AFP/Getty)

The 19-year-old signed a new contract in 2017 meaning Arsenal are under no pressure to sell the player who has excelled during pre-season.

Eddie Nketiah is set to leave the club on loan with Bristol City reportedly leading the race for the striker’s signature after Arsenal concluded it was best the 19-year-old gather more first-team experience.

A loan deal to Augsburg fell through last January and interest remains in Germany.

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