Transfer notebook: Arsenal weigh up move for Moussa Dembele... Man Utd close to signing Tom Heaton for free

Arsenal are weighing up a move for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele ahead of their planned overhaul of the squad this summer, Telegraph Sport understands.

With uncertainty over the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, who could both leave the club, Arsenal are exploring possible attacking options to pursue once the transfer window opens.

It is understood that they have looked into Dembele’s possible availability this summer, when the Frenchman’s loan spell at Atletico Madrid comes to an end.

The Spanish side have an option to buy Dembele for around £30million but it remains to be seen whether they will choose to exercise that option. The former Celtic striker has struggled with fitness issues since moving to Spain in January and is yet to score for Diego Simeone’s side.

It is believed that the 24-year-old could be available for around £25m this summer, although Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is seen to be one of Europe’s toughest negotiators. 

Dembele scored 44 goals in his first two seasons in Lyon, including two in last year’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City. He was previously prolific at Celtic, scoring 51 goals in 94 appearances for the Scottish club. 

Telegraph Sport reported last month that Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard is also on Arsenal’s list of potential options this summer.

Leicester City are also in the race for Edouard and are seen to be the favourites to sign the 23-year-old this summer, when he enters the final year of his deal in Scotland. Edouard is expected to be available for around £15m to £20m.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear his squad needs revamping this summer and he expects to be backed by the Kroenke family in the transfer market.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Arteta said:"We have already had an incredible amount of changes at the club over the past year or so, more than ever. We are looking to improve and be much closer than where we are at the moment. In order to do that there are certain things that we have to improve.

"There are so many things to do because we already have a lot of players on loan and a lot of players with contracts still that we need to sort. It will depend on what happens with a lot of those players and what we are able to recruit to improve the team. That is going to determine where we are."

Heaton on verge of Man Utd return

Manchester United are close to signing Tom Heaton on a free transfer this summer as a replacement for Sergio Romero. 

The Aston Villa goalkeeper, 35, will return to the club where he started his career before establishing himself in the Premier League at Burnley. His contract at Villa Park expires next month and he is allowed to talk to other clubs about a pre-contract, with United moving swiftly for a reliable back-up to Dean Henderson and David De Gea. 

Romero, 34, holds an Italian passport and has interest from Jose Mourinho at Roma among other Serie A clubs. The Argentina international, who played in the World Cup final, worked well with Mourinho during their time together at Old Trafford. 

Mourinho will look at strengthening his goalkeeper department when he starts work at his new club in the summer, although Romero has sparked interest from other clubs as a free agent. 

Heaton recovered from a serious knee injury to be back-up to Emi Martinez at Villa this season. Gareth Southgate had him on standby for the last World Cup after being impressed with him around the squad during his England call-ups, which has earned him three caps. 

United’s fringe players have been on the radar of clubs as they look to pick up talent this summer. Brandon Williams has not played regularly and Brighton are interested in using him as a left wing-back. Southampton have previously inquired about him.  

Fernandinho set to extend City stay

Manchester City captain Fernandinho is set to stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond the end of the season when his contract expires. 

The Brazil midfielder, 36, is in the final months of his current deal but is expected to extend his terms into a ninth season in the Premier League. After playing in the Champions League semi-final this week against Paris Saint-Germain, he stated that he would announce a final decision after the final on May 29.  

City remain in the market for a long-term replacement for him. They are looking at Sassuolo's Manuel Locatelli among others but are unlikely to exercise a buy-back option on Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz should Fernandinho remain part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.   

Fernandinho received offers from South America and Europe over a pre-contract and was torn over his next move. He feels he has more years at the top level, which would make him among the oldest Premier League outfield players if he stays in England. 

Spurs and Arsenal set sights on Andersen

Tottenham are in pole position to land Joachim Andersen following Fulham’s relegation but Arsenal are ready to compete for the Denmark international. 

Andersen is seen as a replacement should David Luiz move from the Emirates Stadium this summer, which is set to test the club’s ability to attract players without European football. 

Spurs are admirers of the 24-year-old, who returns to Lyon before he is expected to move for £20m. They need to trim their squad before moving for players. Ryan Mason currently has five centre-backs to choose from. 

Chelsea teenager on the move

Chelsea forward Marcel Lewis, 19, has agreed a four-year deal to move to Belgium with Union Saint-Gilloise.

His new club will be playing in the top flight next season after promotion, with Lewis expected to compete for a starting place at the club Brighton owner Tony Bloom took over three years ago. 

Huddersfield and Derby were tracking Lewis in Chelsea’s Academy and there was also interest from Freiburg in Germany. 

Premier League clubs queuing up for Reading forward

Crystal Palace, Watford and Brighton are monitoring Reading forward Yakou Méïté. 

All three clubs are interested in the £5m-rated Ivory Coast international, who could be sold to help balance the books at the Madejski Stadium. 

West Brom target Serie A striker

Bulgaria forward Kiril Despodov is on West Brom’s radar as he looks to get released from his contract at Cagliari. The 24-year-old has taken legal action against the Italian club over unpaid wages. Valencia and Galatasary are also interested.  

Serie A clubs were given permission to pay players over 14 months last season due to the coronavirus pandemic but Despodov was told he was not entitled to wages for July and August after he returned from a loan.