Arsenal transfer rumours and news: Alvaro Morata 'not for sale'; Adrien Rabiot will cost £20m

All the latest speculation from the Emirates

(GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal will have to step up their efforts to sign Alvaro Morata from Juventus if reports in today’s media are true, with Manchester United showing interest and Liverpool ready to make a bid.

The Juventus director of football, Giuseppe Marotta, did his best this week to dispel interest from Europe’s leading clubs by saying “We have no interest in dealing with Real Madrid or any other club. We’ve never considered selling Morata. He is part of the backbone of this team; he’s a youngster who has shown he is the real thing. We are used to keeping hold of players like him.”

That stance has not deterred yet more reported interest, however. Liverpool are widely reported to be leading the way for Morata’s services and, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, have begun talks over a potential £45m deal.

Meanwhile, Tuttosport claim Manchester are also showing interest, with Louis van Gaal eager to add to his striking options.

Arsene Wenger bid for Morata two years ago when he was at Real Madrid.

Morata could still opt for a return to Real Madrid, the club he departed in 2014, with the club believed to have put in place a £23m buy-back clause. Other clubs – including Arsenal – face a reported release clause of £61m.

The Evening Standard report the Gunners have asked Paris Saint-Germain to keep them informed of Adrien Rabiot’s availability. Wenger likes the 20-year-old midfielder, who has found his time on the pitch limited this season, but may need to front up £20m for a deal.

Another potential midfield option, Victor Wanyama, is reported by the Daily Telegraph to be staying at Southampton. That may not be the end of the story, however, as the 24-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and the Saints are expected to sell him if he does not renew it.