Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Arsenal transfer news: Alexis Sanchez wants out as Julian Draxler and Djibril Sidibe linked with Gunners move

The latest transfer news and rumours surrounding the Emirates on Friday 8 July

Friday 08 July 2016 10:05 BST

Alexis Sanchez helped guide Chile to Copa America glory (Getty)

Julian Draxler is the latest name to be churned out from the rumour mill. Reports from ESPN and TalkSPORT have claimed that the north London side have made a £43m bid for the German superstar. Although Draxler joined Wolfsburg last year on a five-year deal, reports have suggested that the German club would find it difficult to turn down such a high bid.

Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Draxler and was linked with the 22-year-old last summer before he switched from Schalke to Wolfsburg for £26m.

Arsenal are also closing in on French central defender Djibril Sidibe, according to the Telegraph. Citing their sources at L’Equipe, the paper has suggested that a €15m deal for the Frenchman could be around the corner. Sidibe has established himself as a regular for Ligue 1 side Lille and at 23 years of age is considered a prospect for the future.

Fans will be concerned though by the claims that Alexis Sanchez is looking for a move away from the Emirates. According to Italian publication Calcio Mercato, the Chilean wants a return to Italy and his agent Fernando Felicevich has told the club of the 27-year-old’s desire to leave.

This follows reports that Juventus have lodged a £25.7m bid for the forward in an effort to bring him to Turin. Despite wanting to hold onto Sanchez, who recently led Chile to Copa America glory, the Gunners could be willing to listen to offers around the £34m mark, the Daily Express writes.

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Show all 10

1/10Arsenal striker transfer targets

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Alvaro Morata (Juventus)

Morata looks certain to leave Juventus, but his destination remains unknown. Real Madrid lead the pursuit for the Spain international given they can activate a €30m [£23.6m] release clause in his contract after 1 July, but Juventus will be keen to sell elsewhere given they can command a much bigger fee based on is valutation. Morata would represent a proven goalscorer that Arsenal have lacked in recent years, having fired Juventus to two Serie A title and last season’s Champions League final.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Edinson Cavani (PSG)

Cavani is ready to end his Paris Saint-Germain career and move on to pastures new, having grown unhappy at playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who himself is poised to leave the club this summer. Having played in both Serie A and Ligue 1, Cavani has admitted that he would like to play in the Premier League, and the Gunners have been linked with the Uruguay international in the past.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)

Arsenal missed out on Higuain when he left Real Madrid in 2013, having had a bid accepted for the Argentine only to see Napoli storm in and snap up the striker. However, Higuain could be on his way out of Naples, with the club looking to freshen their squad up in a bid to go one better and build on this season’s likely second-place finish to challenge champions Juventus.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Benzema may be another who finds his time is up at his current club, with Real expected to make a major signing of their own in the summer to try and add to the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. While his two cohorts take the headlines in Madrid, Benzema remains one of the most prolific finishers in European football, and the Gunners showed genuine interest in the France international last summer only to decide against meeting Real’s valuation.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)

Sturridge’s future has grown uncertain since Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool. The striker has reiterated his commitment to the club and helped them reach the Europa League final, but he has also shown a dissatisfaction at times when Klopp has left him out of the side. Arsenal were reported to be interested in the striker, but strained tensions between the two clubs following the Gunners’ interest in Luis Suarez could scupper any potential deal.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Neymar (Barcelona)

A move for the Brazilian superstar would certainly be one of the biggest shocks of the summer, but his future in Barcelona is uncertain and the Catalans could be forced into selling him due to their increasing financial troubles. United have again shown interest in Neymar, but there is no reason to suggest that Arsenal can’t challenge them financially for Neymar’s signature and he would certainly fit into Arsene Wenger’s style of football.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Radamel Falcao (Monaco)

The Colombian has failed at both Manchester United and Chelsea, and is due to return to Monaco at the end of the season after a torturous two-year spell in England. But could he remain upon these shores and join Arsenal? With Monaco keen to sell and Falcao scoring a total of six goals in two years, the former Atletico Madrid forward would be available for a much lower fee than was touted 12 months ago, and you can guarantee that one big club playing in European competition will decide to take the risk on Falcao.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)

The Gabon international is emerging as one of the most lethal finishers in Europe, having scored 25 goals in the Bundesliga this season and 30 in all competitions. Both Arsenal and Tottenham have been linked with Aubameyang, and the Gunners have sent scouts to watch the 26-year-old, with the club keeping an eye on him given Borussia Dortmund’s inability to hold on to their biggest players.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)

The Inter Milan forward has emerged as a possible alternative to Morata, and at 23 years old Icardi would certainly offer Arsenal an option for a number of years. Icardi has scored 16 goals in Serie A this season, firing Inter back into European contention, but his form has caught the eye of the likes of Chelsea and United. However, the Inter captain has stressed that he will remain with the Italian club for next season, yet Arsenal could yet persuade him to move to the Emirates with the carrot of Champions League football.

Getty

Arsenal striker transfer targets

Romelu Lukaku (Everton)

Lukaku is expected to leave under-performing Everton in the summer after admitting he wants to play in the Champions League next season. United have always been the front-runners for Lukaku, although a return to former club Chelsea has also been reported, while PSG are keeping an eye on the strong Belgian. However, Lukaku would certainly boost the Arsenal squad, and at 22 years old he could be the striker that Arsenal can build their squad around in the future.

Getty

In other news, Arsenal continue to be linked with former Juventus forward Alvaro Morata. According to the Telegraph and Daily Mirror, Arsene Wenger are planning to hijack Chelsea’s move for the Real Madrid man. The player reportedly favours a move to the Emirates given Arsenal can provide Champions League football.

Madrid are allegedly demanding £70m for the Spaniard and while Chelsea would be more than willing to pay that price, there’s doubts over whether Wenger would be prepared to part with such a figure and meet the terms of Morata’s excessive contract demands.

Euro 2016 predictions from The Independent

It’s the same old story with Alexandre Lacazette too. Lyon are continuing to demand £42m for their star man, the Mail claim, and while inquiries have been made it seems Wenger does not rate the forward that highly.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies