Arsenal face a new challenge to seal a deal for a wonderkid target this summer, as Premier League rivals have now joined the race for their signature, according to BBC Sport.

The Gunners are planning for the future, having won the league title for the first time in 22 years, with plans to repeat that feat for many years to come.

While there is a blend of peak-age players with some younger talents, Mikel Arteta appears keen to add further depth to the youth ranks for the future, handing the team even more opportunities to secure long-term options.

One target that hits that criteria is a Paris Saint-Germain youngster, who Arsenal are now facing a fight to land this summer.

Bournemouth Join Emmanuel Mbemba Transfer Race

Arsenal have been seeking out a possible deal to sign PSG youngster Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer at the end of his contract this summer.

The 18-year-old is a defender who can play as a left-back and a centre-back, having shown great promise with the French champions during his time in their youth academy setup.

Arsenal have submitted a proposal in the hopes of landing Mbemba, but BBC Sport reports that Premier League rivals Bournemouth are looking to hijack a move.

It’s claimed that the Cherries have held initial talks over a deal, which would see him join the club and given a pathway through their sister club, Lorient.

It hands the youngster a clear pathway that may not be available at Arsenal, though the report claims that the Gunners’ offer has impressed him.

That leaves a key decision at the hands of the PSG wonderkid, who will seemingly have the pick of some top teams to join when he becomes a free agent in the coming weeks.

Arsenal’s Pathway Challenge

Given how strong the Arsenal squad is, with depth in every single position, it’s clear how much of a challenge it will be for the club to create a pathway for young stars.

While there are exceptions, like those for Max Dowman and Myles Lewis-Skelly, there have been challenges for stars such as Ethan Nwaneri.

It makes it a challenge for the Gunners to tempt some stars to the club, and that could prove costly in the race to land a player like Mbemba this window.

With Bournemouth’s clear pathway, through the use of their multi-club model, Arsenal may well be on the backfoot to prove they are the best destination for young stars.

Arsenal have set a clear stance on the potential sale of a key star this summer, as The Mirror reports that European giants have been monitoring the Gunners ace in recent days.

The North London club are keen to improve the squad for next season, after an impressive campaign that saw them end the long wait to win a Premier League title, while going close to landing a first Champions League triumph.

Any possible incomings will need to be offset by exits, however, as the squad appears filled with talent in every single position at Mikel Arteta‘s disposal.

Despite that, some clear options for sales will be off the table, as Arsenal have set a firm stance on a star leaving the club.

Arsenal Set Piero Hincapie Stance

Arsenal have made it clear that they won’t entertain offers for Piero Hincapie this summer, according to The Mirror, as clubs line up a potential deal for the defender.

It’s claimed that Real Madrid have been showing interest in the versatile star, with chief scout Juni Calafat in attendance for Ecuador’s clash with the Ivory Coast to monitor the Arsenal ace.

Los Blancos are believed to be joined by Barcelona in the race for Hincapie, but it’s a race that the Gunners are looking to shut down immediately.

The stance of no sale means Hincapie is set to stay at the Emirates Stadium, regardless of any offer that could come in from the Spanish giants, as they are both on the lookout for possible centre-back options.

Hincapie joined Arsenal last summer on an initial loan move from Bayer Leverkusen, which was made permanent in recent days with a £34.5 million buy option in his deal.

The 24-year-old signed a contract until 2031, meaning he is contracted for the next five years, making an exit all the more unlikely.

Why Arteta Wants To Keep Hincapie

It’s clear why Arteta wants to keep Hincapie at Arsenal, with the star encapsulating everything that has made the Gunners good in recent years.

The manager explained it best when he discussed the star earlier this year, stating: “When I spoke to Xabi [Alonso] just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, ‘He’s a warrior’.

“He will play through brick walls for you and he’s one of the most competitive players that I have had.

“He’s come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it’s like he’s been here for 10 years. He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.”

Arsenal will now have that warrior for years to come, with any approach set to be rejected this summer.

Tottenham are said to have made a cheeky request to Newcastle United as they look to get the Sandro Tonali transfer over the line. Spurs are working on a number of deals as they look to follow up their bold start to the window, which has seen them snap up four players within just over a week of the summer transfer window officially opening.

The Spurs chiefs indirectly promised changes to investment levels after back-to-back bottom-half Premier League finishes, and they are now following up. Big money is to be spent to overhaul Roberto De Zerbi’s squad this summer, and the next priority appears to be the midfield.

The latest on Spurs move to sign Tonali

via Reuters

Tottenham saw a £75million bid for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali rejected recently, with the Magpies hoping for around £100million, according to the Daily Mail, who say Spurs sent a bizarre second offer for the player this week.

They say Tottenham sent another offer but did not increase the value of it, leading to a swift rejection from Newcastle United. It’s unclear what Tottenham’s thinking was, and indeed whether the terms of the deal were changed, which could be the case. It’s possible Tottenham promised more money upfront in a bid to sweeten the offer, while they may also have been trying their luck with the knowledge Tonali is said to prefer a move this summer, with Sky Sports reporting he has already “said yes” to Spurs.

But it seems Newcastle are focused on landing a bigger fee, and that will force Spurs to consider whether they meet those demands or take their money elsewhere to buy an alternative midfielder this summer.

Tottenham’s midfield needs in the transfer window

Spurs are in need of a midfielder or two this summer as they say goodbye to Yves Bissouma, who will leave at the end of his current deal. The North London club are also on course to lose loan player Joao Palhinha unless they move to activate the option to buy that would make the deal permanent.

It has gone quiet on that front over recent weeks, but Spurs likely have until the end of the month to make their decision. The latest reports claim Spurs wanted a cheaper deal, but Bayern are unlikely to accommodate that request, given they paid. The option to buy is already £21million less than the €51million Bayern paid for the Portugal international.

Spurs have Rodrigo Bentancur as their only real out-and-out holding midfielder on the books for next season, but Achie Gray, Conor Gallagher and Pape Matar Sarr are all capable of playing a deeper role, so there is some depth there.