Arsenal are facing the prospect of losing William Saliba for a prolonged period after the France centre-back was forced off during his country's World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain, with surgery now among the options being considered by the Gunners. The 25-year-old, who made 50 appearances last season as Arsenal ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, has been dogged by a back issue for several weeks. “I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League,” Saliba said earlier in the tournament. “The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth.”
Arsenal will assess the injury when he reports back to the club after World Cup duty. An operation would probably require a long-term lay-off to recover, prompting the club to weigh up a move for 32-year-old England defender John Stones on a free transfer, according to the Sun. Stones would be a replacement if Saliba’s injury turns out to be long term.
“Arsenal consider surgery for William Saliba's back injury and target John Stones on a free transfer”
Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to complete the £117 million signing of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with the winger undergoing a medical on Monday after playing for England on the same day as the deal was agreed. The Blues have also held formal talks with Crystal Palace over France defender Maxence Lacroix, with the Eagles valuing the 26-year-old at around £55 million, according to Talksport.
Arsenal are also among the clubs monitoring the situation of Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, with Paris Saint-Germain his priority but the Gunners having joined the race for his signature after missing out on Rogers to Chelsea. Hull City are in talks with Aston Villa over a deal for 28-year-old Jamaica winger Leon Bailey, per the Athletic, and are closing in on the signing of former Newcastle left-back Matt Targett, who is a free agent, according to the Mail.
Manchester United are reportedly facing competition from Roma for their top winger target Crysencio Summerville, with the Serie A side having submitted a bid to West Ham that was turned down as the Hammers hold out for £50 million. United have also been offered the chance to sign PSG star Bradley Barcola, RMC Sport claim.
Liverpool are prepared to join Manchester United in the race for Roma’s 25-year-old France midfielder Manu Kone, per Football Insider, and are also interested in Sweden left-back Daniel Svensson from Borussia Dortmund, though Arsenal may compete for his signature, according to Caught Offside.
Aston Villa have held talks with Chelsea over the possibility of signing both Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho this summer, Teamtalk reports, while AC Milan’s Rafael Leao would prefer a move to the Premier League rather than Turkey, with Villa a potential destination. Juventus have made Villa’s 33-year-old Argentina international Emiliano Martinez their number one goalkeeping target.
With the summer window in full swing, Arsenal’s immediate focus remains on Saliba’s fitness. The France international missed his side’s final group game against Norway before returning for the knockout stage, and will play in Saturday’s third-place play-off against England before the full extent of his injury is known.