Arsenal transfer news – Gunners target Spanish midfielder as rivals eye Ceballos

Arsenal continue to find their name on the back pages when it comes to players leaving north London and exciting names making their way over from abroad.

With the Gunners’ return to European club competition still up in the air, the consensus seems to be they will need to sell before they buy, despite having clinched permanent deals for on-loan duo Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari.

We’ve got the latest on a young talent linked with the club, as well as updates on the players who Mikel Arteta might allow to leave in order to finance more ambitious moves for bigger names.

Espanyol relegation could aid Arsenal discount on Spanish talent

Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca is one of the names linked with Arsenal if they are unable to clinch a permanent move for on-loan midfielder Dani Ceballos.

The 23-year-old, a product of Espanyol’s youth academy, was part of the Spain squad which won the European Under-21 Championships in 2019, and made his 100th La Liga appearance in his club’s 1-0 derby defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday.

Football.London notes the midfielder, who has been linked with the Gunners in the past, could be available for considerably less than his £35.8million release clause.

Espanyol’s defeat at Camp Nou confirmed their relegation, and Roca will reportedly be unwilling to spend a season in the Segunda Division.

An accomplished short and long passer, the midfielder could serve Arsenal well either as an alternative to Ceballos or a replacement deep-lying midfielder if Matteo Guendouzi leaves this summer.

Arsenal target expected to leave Uruguay for Europe in upcoming window

Penarol manager Diego Forlan has given Arsenal a boost by revealing teenage star Facundo Pellistri is likely to leave Uruguay this summer.

The Gunners are one of a number of European clubs mentioned in connection with the 18-year-old winger, with Juventus and Newcastle United also believed to be in the race.

“I know he can leave at any time,” Forlan told Uruguayan outlet Sport890 (via The Boot Room). “The financial situation of the club makes me think that I have to adapt to the current situation.”

Pellistri, who turned 18 in December, has featured regularly for the 50-time domestic champions since making his debut in August last year, and made his Copa Libertadores debut in a group stage win over Jorge Wilstermann.

Back in May, CalcioMercatoWeb also named Atletico Madrid and Manchester City as potential destinations for the teenager.

Betis to challenge Arsenal for Ceballos deal

Arsenal remain keen to keep Ceballos beyond this season, but could face a…