Arsenal Transfer News Today: Rafael Leao talks confirmed as Arteta chases new target

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Feb 2026 04:19 CST
• 5 min read

Nieuws

Arsenal are shaping up for a busy summer in the transfer market. Here’s the latest on a string of deals, including Rafael Leao, Julian Alvarez, Mateus Mane, Pio Esposito and Nathaniel Brown.

Arsenal in talks over €80m Rafael Leao move

Arsenal have held initial talks with Rafael Leao’s representatives as they eye a potential summer move for the AC Milan superstar, FootballTransfers understands.

The Rossoneri are prepared to strike a deal in the region of €75-80 million for the Portugal international attacker, but the Gunners face potential competition from Manchester United over the 26-year-old.

Sporting director Andrea Berta has already held talks with Leao’s team over the potential deal and the former Lille player has told his camp to engage in negotiations over a potential summer move.

Arsenal are known to be chasing a player to fill a role on the left side of their attack, with neither Leandro Trossard nor Gabriel Martinelli hitting their top level of late.

Atletico Madrid demand €200m for Julian Alvarez

Arsenal have Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez on their transfer shortlist ahead of the summer, but according to a report from Spain, the Argentine will cost a staggering €200m.

Alvarez has reportedly decided that he wants to leave the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer and has courted interest from the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea, as well as the Gunners.

Anyone signing him, though, will have to pay a staggering premium for a player with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €117.5m.

Mateus Mane transfer latest

Wolves youngster Mateus Mane has shot into the spotlight in recent weeks, with the 18-year-old turning in a string of exciting performances for Rob Edwards’ struggling side.

The Molineux club are resigned to seeing him depart in the summer, with a host of Premier League teams chasing his signature.

While Arsenal are interested in signing the teenager, Liverpool are leading the way for the young Englishman, who has had an asking price of €60m slapped on his head.

Esposito passes Arsenal audition

Inter Milan may have crumbled to a shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, but young forward Pio Esposito was one of their rare bright sparks in the game.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Arsenal are on the tail of the young forward, who mostly appears as an impact substitute for Cristian Chivu’s side.

The Gunners were watching the young Italy international in Norway, and the teenager is said to have “passed the test with flying colours”.

Arsenal chase Nathaniel Brown

Arsenal are the latest side to target Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown, who the Bundesliga side are hoping to attract bids in the region of €70m for.

Frankfurt could be forced to negotiate on this figure, but any discount will not necessarily be large, despite the club being pressured to sell.

Manchester United have been scouting the player extensively and Liverpool are also interested.

New target identified: Gunners chase Denis Undav

Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles in attack have led Arsenal to study the possibility of signing Denis Undav from Stuttgart, a report from Fichajes claims.

The hitman is 29 years old and, with 16 goals and 11 assists this season, is a striker in his prime. Indeed, it is his ability to be involved in the buildup play that is attractive to Mikel Arteta.

With an asking price of around €30m, Undav appears to be a low-cost gamble.

Arsenal get Karl update

Arsenal and Liverpool have checked in on Bayern Munich sensation Lennart Karl ahead of his 18th birthday but have been told that the teenager will not be going anywhere, according to TeamTalk.

“Karl does not want to be anywhere else, his future is at Bayern Munich and he is determined to become a centre-piece of the future,” a source is reported to have said.

“Yes, there is no denying interest, but that is very much par for the course for such a talent as him.”

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