Transfer gossip: Arsenal could get second chance to sign £55m ‘top priority’ as Barca panic | OneFootball

RIGHT, SAID FRED While Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi openly discussed potential interest in Marcus Rashford recently, it seems that might have been a smokescreen from the Ligue Un giants.

Manchester United triggered the automatic one-year contract extensions of four players in midweek, with Rashford, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Fred all steered a little further away from a possible departure on a free transfer.

But PSG have not been deterred when it comes to Fred, who The Sun say has ‘long-term admirers’ in Christophe Galtier’s side.

Man Utd would still start negotiations at £30m for the ‘shock’ PSG target as Erik ten Hag quite likes the cut of his particular jib.

DOU AS I SAY But when it comes to 29-year-old central midfielders who have played in the Premier League for a few years, with a considerable disparity between their best and worst performance base, Abdoulaye Doucoure will take some beating.

Frank Lampard does not seem to agree, considering the Frenchman has barely featured since starting the first two games of the Premier League season, suffering a hamstring injury in the second.

Nottingham Forest, transfer enthusiasts that they are, as well as Fulham have taken a keen interest in the situation. Doucoure’s contract expires in the summer but again, Everton have the option to extend that by a year and avoid losing him for free. Whether it’s worth the bother is another thing.

The Daily Mail say Marco Silva has liked Doucoure ever since working with him at Watford, while Steve Cooper wants yet more experience in his squad. Everton, meanwhile, would quite like to free up those wages.

RAPH TICKET “For me, it was done, and when I have a deal my word is my word,” said Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani of negotiations with Chelsea over Raphinha. “I felt ashamed to go back to Todd Boehly and change my position.”

Arsenal technical director Edu confirmed that “we did have some conversations” about the winger in the summer but the Barcelona obstacle meant they did not go in too far. Fabrizio Romano, on the other hand, described Raphinha as the north London club’s “top priority”.

Chelsea and Arsenal might therefore be interested to learn that Barcelona are becoming ‘impatient’ with Raphinha as they ‘expect much more’.

Spanish publication Sport bring the latest developments, claiming that while the Catalans knew there would be a period of adaptation, they are growing frustrated at Raphinha not ‘exploiting’ his talents. There is also ‘concern’ at his unhappiness.

Barcelona will review the situation at the end of the season but they know that the 26-year-old has ‘a huge market’ back in the Premier League.