Arsenal news: Newcastle plot £17m transfer swoop as Mikel Arteta warned about unhappy player

Agent Zinchenko could be pulling the strings

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell says Gunners transfer target and Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is “probably ringing” Oleksandr Zinchenko in order to force a move to the Emirates Stadium. The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to north London this summer as Mikel Arteta looked to bolster his frontline.

The Gunners are said to have made contact with the winger over the possibility of signing the Ukraine international. Arsenal are believed to be long-term admirers of Mudryk and contemplated tabling an offer in a bid to rival interest from Everton, who reportedly had a €30million (£25.9million) verbal proposal snubbed.

Speaking to Highbury Corner, as quoted by the Metro, Campbell said: “I like him. I’ve seen a few games of his. Not a lot. But whenever I’ve seen him, he’s looked lively, he’s looked good. Young lad, very gifted.

“I truly believe he is the right profile for Arsenal. He seems to have a great attitude. Again, I think he likes the Arsenal. Obviously, his [international] captain’s at Arsenal.

“So he’s probably ringing Zinny and saying ‘speak to the manager, get me over there’. He’s doing pretty well for himself at Shakhtar. He’s looking the part. Now he’s been linked to Arsenal, everybody’s watching him. I’d like Arsenal to have all the weapons. So no matter what, we could chop and change, and we’re still strong.”

Arteta warned Smith Rowe is unhappy

Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh squad selection headache amid concerns that Emile Smith Rowe is unhappy. The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive end to the campaign last season and looked set to play a pivotal role in Arsenal’s endeavours this time around.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “With the players that are coming in, I don’t think he’s really had the game time that he was after. You can see just in his demeanour, he looks a little bit down, he’s not as happy as he was last season.

“Getting an injury at this point in time is not ideal, especially if you’re not a main player within that team. So it’s really about him recovering from this and getting back to where he was. We know he’s a great player but you have to show the manager that you can do it on a consistent basis.”

Newcastle eye Tielemans deal

Arsenal have been handed a huge wake-up call in the race to sign Youri Tielemans amid growing interest from Newcastle United. The 25-year-old faces an increasingly uncertain future at the King Power Stadium as he enters the final 12 months of his deal at Leicester City.

Gunners247 understand that the Gunners were interested in signing the Belgium international in the summer despite having signed a midfielder in the shape of Fabio Vieira. The north Londoners are long admirers of Tielemans but, despite the Foxes leaving the door open to exits, a move failed to materialise.

According to Jeunes Footeux, the Magpies are warming to the idea of signing Tielemans. The report states that Newcastle are considering a bid in the region of £17million.