Transfer Talk: Gunners could use Lacazette to land El-Nesyri

Arsenal are plotting a swoop for Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri which could see out-of-favour striker Alexandre Lacazette head in the opposite direction.

The Gunners would dearly love to add fresh firepower to their ranks with both Lacazette and his strike partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang facing uncertain futures in North London. 

But while getting rid of skipper Aubameyang — who signed a new £250,000-per-week deal only last December — could prove costly, Lacazette is out of contract at the end of the season.

With the 30-year-old able to leave the Emirates on a free next summer, Spanish outlet La Razon claim his club are now considering a January sale to recover some of the £46.5million they shelled out in 2017. 

The report suggests that Lacazette could be a viable makeweight in a January move for Moroccan forward En-Nesyri, 24, who has a £70m release clause in his current deal.

Former Leganes man En-Nesyri netted an impressive 24 goals across 46 appearances in LaLiga and the Champions League last term and is considered one of the game’s most rapidly improving marksmen.

He is thought to be keen on a Premier League switch and, while the Gunners would be unable to meet his release clause, the presence of Lacazette in a potential deal could prove key.

Leeds look to lock Phillips down after Red Devils rumours

Leeds have opened new contract talks with holding midfielder Kalvin Phillips in an attempt to ward off interest from their bitter rivals Manchester United.

According to the Daily Star, the Whites will offer the 25-year-old improved terms at Elland Road despite his current deal having nearly three years left to run on it.

Owner Andrea Radrizzani believes that a lucrative offer from a more financially powerful outfit could unsettle his star man and wants to act before any official approach is made.

Phillips himself is not thought to have shown any desire to leave his boyhood club but talk has been rife of a potential enquiry from the Red Devils.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to add another defensive-minded midfielder to his ranks at Old Trafford after reportedly being priced out of a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice this summer.

Now, Rice’s England team-mate Phillips is top of their list — but Liverpool, Manchester City and even Real Madrid are also thought to be interested.

Phillips rose to prominence for his role in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, starting all seven of the Three Lions’ games and gaining widespread praise for his performances in the middle of the park.

In other news

Football Insider say that Tottenham could make a move for West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The 28-year-old Baggies stopper was supposedly the subject of an £11m bid from West Ham in the summer but his club are thought to be holding out for a figure closer to £15m. 

Manchester City are at the front of the queue for rising German star Florian Wirtz, according to a report by SportWitness.

They claim that Pep Guardiola has had the 18-year-old scouted on numerous occasions and is a great admirer of the Bayer Leverkusen starlet — as are Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Wirtz has five goals and four assists in just six appearances this season and comparisons are already being made with his former team-mate and fellow attacking midfielder Kai Havertz.