Arsenal's Bold Transfer Moves: Martinelli, Osimhen, and More
Galatasaray’s move for Gabriel Martinelli looked bold, ambitious and just about plausible when it first surfaced. Then the story twisted. Within 24 hours, Arsenal were being offered something far more complicated – and far more tempting.
The Premier League side have reportedly been given the chance to bring Victor Osimhen to north London in a blockbuster swap involving Martinelli. For a club openly searching for a genuine No 9, that is the kind of proposal that makes executives sit up. Osimhen, the explosive Nigeria striker, is an entirely different profile to the Brazilian winger: penalty-box menace, aerial threat, relentless runner.
The suggestion does not stop there. Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal’s teenage prodigy, is being mentioned as a potential extra piece in what would be a mega deal. High risk, high reward, and the sort of move that would reshape Arsenal’s attack – and their future.
Reijnders draws a crowd
Tijjani Reijnders, meanwhile, faces a different kind of uncertainty. Finding a natural home in Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City system might not be straightforward for the Dutch midfielder, and that has alerted others.
Nottingham Forest have already been linked, but the real noise is coming from Saudi Arabia. Al Qadsiah, coached by Brendan Rodgers, are ready to put down £51m to lure Reijnders away. That is serious money, even by current standards, and a clear sign of how aggressively the Saudi Pro League continues to recruit from Europe’s upper shelves.
Newcastle reload after midfield exodus
Newcastle United’s midfield has been ripped open. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães are gone, sold to Spurs and Arsenal respectively, but the departures have brought in around £175m. Now comes the rebuild.
At the top of the list is Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a powerful, progressive midfielder who fits the club’s age profile and intensity. Newcastle are also looking at Rafik Belghali, with the right-back available for around £12m. If the Magpies are willing to pay up, St James’ Park could soon have a new face charging down that flank.
Leeds circle Elvedi
Leeds United are moving with a little more certainty. Nico Elvedi, the Borussia Mönchengladbach centre-back, wants out and has only a year left on his contract. He knows Daniel Farke from their time together in Germany, and the path to Elland Road looks clear.
At 29, Elvedi brings experience and aerial strength to a side that has craved defensive authority. Barring a late twist, all roads point to Yorkshire.
Forest’s quiet addition
Nottingham Forest are working at the other end of the squad list. Third-choice goalkeepers rarely stir the blood, but Steven Benda is on his way in after leaving Swansea, arriving on a free transfer.
It will not cause traffic jams around the City Ground, but it does give Forest extra depth in a position that can turn critical in an instant. Every long season eventually tests the depth chart.
Palace build depth – and look back at an old friend
Crystal Palace are layering their squad. Anan Khalaili is set to join from Union Saint-Gilloise, brought in to push Daniel Muñoz at right-back and stiffen competition in a key area.
At centre-back, Palace are eyeing Lecce defender Tiago Gabriel, valued at £25m. They are not alone: Bournemouth are also tracking the Brazilian, who has already attracted a bid from Benfica. Any move will be a fight, not a formality.
And then there is a familiar face back at the training ground. Wilfried Zaha, currently without a club, is training with Palace to maintain his fitness. He came through the academy, carried the team at times across two spells, and left for Manchester United before returning to become the symbol of the club’s modern era.
Now he is back on the grass at Beckenham, unattached, still dangerous, still adored. With Palace searching for depth and edge in attack, the question hangs in the air: would they dare roll the dice on Zaha one more time?
