Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners eyeing Lautaro Martinez; Granit Xhaka likely to join Bayer Leverkusen, and more - May 20, 2023

Arsenal lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday (May 20) in the Premier League. As a result, Manchester City have now won the league, ending the Gunners' title charge.

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta and Co. are interested in Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez. Elsewhere, midfielder Granit Xhaka is likely to join Bayern Leverkusen this summer.

On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on May 20, 2023:

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Arsenal eyeing Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez is wanted at the Emirates.

Arsenal are interested in Lautaro Martinez, according to Inter Live via Caught Offside.

Arteta remains keen to upgrade his attack after his current crop struggled to compete with Manchester City this season. Martinez has been on a good run of form recently for Inter Milan and has emerged as an option for Arteta to consider.

The 25-year-old has 25 goals and ten assists in 52 games across competitions this season for the Nerazzurri. Arteta is planning to partner Martinez with Gabriel Jesus next season, but prising the Argentinian away from Inter could be a costly affair.

The Gunners also face competition from Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur for his services.

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Granit Xhaka likely to join Bayer Leverkusen

Granit Xhaka is close to an exit from the Emirates.

Granit Xhaka is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen this summer, according to acclaimed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Swiss international has been in a good run of form for Arsenal this season, registering seven goals and as many assists in 45 appearances across competitions. However, his contract with the North London side runs out in just over a year, and the Gunners have decided to cash in on the 30-year-old.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said that talks between the Gunners and Leverkusen are at an advanced stage.

"I can confirm now that talks are very advanced between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen for Granit Xhaka, so Xhaka will leave Arsenal at the end of the season, and 90% he will become a Bayer Leverkusen player," said Romano.

He continued:

"They're just waiting to complete some of the final details. It's a €15m deal, so Arsenal will get €15m, and also the player will get a four-year contract at Bayer Leverkusen. Everything is almost ready."

Arteta is likely to invest in the summer for a replacement for Xhaka, with West Ham United captain Declan Rice heavily linked with a move to the Emirates.

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Joao Cancelo could improve Gunners, says Dean Jones

Joao Cancelo (centre) has admirers at the Emirates.

Joao Cancelo's arrival could rejuvenate Arsenal, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Portuguese full-back joined Bayern Munich on loan from Manchester City in January but has hardly set the roof off at the Allianz Arena. However, he's set to return to the Etihad at the end of the season and is unlikely to be part of plans for the next campaign.

The Gunners are ready to take Cancelo off City's hands this summer. Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones said that the Premier League champions are likely to let him leave for a fair price.

"The message out of City is always that they don't show fear when it comes to selling players, and that they don't stand in the way of players that want to leave. But given the helping hand that they've given Arsenal to be their main title competitors, by selling Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, there's got to be a point at which you consider: do you really want to do that again?" said Jones.

He continued:

"The problem they’ve got is, there aren't that many clubs that would pay what they're going to want for Cancelo, and you're only really going to get that within the Premier League."

Jones added that apart from the North London side, there are few suitors for Cancelo in the league.

"There aren't many teams that actually need that type of player, so you'd probably rather he goes abroad. There’s a bit of a conundrum there, but I think if Arsenal could get Cancelo, he would be starting every single week, and I think that again just raises the levels of that team," said Jones.

Cancelo is tied to City till 2027 and is likely to cost around £61 million.