Arsenal transfer news LIVE – Ebere Eze latest, Alexander Isak decision, Jeremy Jacquet ‘contact’

Arsenal continue to make headlines as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch. Sporting director Andrea Berta has already overseen an aggressive recruitment drive, spending over £200m to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, and Viktor Gyokeres. Yet with the Premier League season fast approaching, the Gunners show no sign of slowing down.

Eberechi Eze remains the top target, with Mikel Arteta keen to add creativity and depth to the left flank. Micah Richards has echoed those thoughts, suggesting that Gabriel Martinelli is better suited as an impact substitute. Arsenal’s interest in Eze comes as Chelsea prepare a £61m bid for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, another player Arsenal have reportedly enquired about.

Meanwhile, the club’s focus is also on trimming the squad. Five players could leave before the window closes: Reiss Nelson (linked with Fulham), Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira (wanted by West Ham and Stuttgart), and Leandro Trossard (on Borussia Dortmund’s radar). Arsenal rejected Porto’s £24m offer for Jakub Kiwior, preferring a straight sale over a loan-to-buy deal.

Defensively, the Gunners continue to track Rennes’ 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet. Conflicting reports have emerged about the youngster’s stance, with some claiming he’s keen on a move while others say he has already declined an Arsenal approach. Despite this, talks appear to be ongoing.

Rodrygo’s name has also been floated in Arsenal circles, though the Brazilian winger reportedly wants to stay at Real Madrid and impress new manager Xabi Alonso. Arsenal had previously shown interest in Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak but ultimately opted for Gyokeres. Liverpool are now leading the chase for Isak, who was recently seen at Newcastle’s training ground amid speculation. Off the pitch, Arsenal have launched their new third kit for the 2025/26 campaign—a white shirt with burgundy and gold accents, inspired by their ‘No More Red’ initiative. The club won’t wear it in upcoming friendlies against Villarreal and Athletic Club.

As the deadline approaches, Arteta and Berta must now shift focus to offloading fringe players and finalising one or two last-minute additions. With a season-opening clash at Old Trafford looming, the pressure is on to enter the campaign with a balanced, competitive squad.

After that moment in training, the mood between Riyad Mahrez and Pep Guardiola completely changed. Mahrez could not hide his pain. He started to train in silence. His usual smile was gone. He no longer cracked jokes with teammates. He began to distance himself, especially from the manager. Pep noticed the change, but he said nothing. And that silence only made things worse. Mahrez felt like he was being punished for something he didn’t do. He had never disrespected Pep. He had never questioned his tactics. All he wanted was to feel appreciated. But now, he felt like a stranger in a place he once called home.

Every time Man City lined up for matches, Mahrez would sit on the bench, staring into the distance. Even when the team won, his celebrations were cold. The joy was no longer there. He was hurting inside. Teammates noticed. Kevin De Bruyne tried to talk to him. Bernardo Silva patted him on the back before games. Even Jack Grealish offered kind words. But none of it could fix the emotional wound Mahrez carried. He wasn’t angry at the club. He was heartbroken by how Pep Guardiola had made him feel useless, forgotten, cast aside.

Then came the Champions League campaign. Every round felt like a slap in the face for Mahrez. The bigger the game, the further away he was from the pitch. In previous years, he had been one of Guardiola’s go-to men for European nights. He had scored crucial goals. He had made the difference. But now, he was nowhere near the starting eleven. Not even as a substitute. It was like he didn’t exist anymore. Mahrez sat through the quarter-finals. Then the semi-finals. And when City made it to the final in Istanbul, he already knew deep down—this would be the end.

Pep Guardiola announced the squad for the final, and once again, Mahrez was not included. Not in the starting eleven. Not even on the bench. It was the final straw. That night, when Manchester City lifted the Champions League trophy, completing the historic treble, Mahrez clapped and smiled for the cameras. But when he went into the dressing room, he sat alone, staring at the floor. He had become a shadow of himself.

After the celebrations died down, Mahrez called his agent. “Find me a new club,” he said quietly. The words carried years of pain. It wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about trophies. It was about respect. About dignity. He couldn’t take it anymore. He had spent the whole season being ignored, disrespected, and replaced. Guardiola never even sat down with him to explain. Not one honest conversation. Not one moment of clarity. Just silence. And that silence said everything.

When the offer came from Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Mahrez didn’t think twice. It wasn’t a step down. It was an escape. A chance to breathe again. A chance to be the main man again. A chance to feel valued. The money was good, yes. But the peace of mind was even better. He packed his bags quietly. No big farewell. No press conference. Just a goodbye message on Instagram. He thanked the fans. He thanked his teammates. But not one word about Guardiola. Not even a mention. That silence, again, said it all.

Mahrez’s departure was like a whisper in the middle of a loud celebration. Man City had just won the treble. The world was focused on their greatness. No one asked too many questions about why Mahrez left so suddenly. But those who knew him, those who followed him closely, could read between the lines. Something had broken inside him. And it was Guardiola who had delivered the final blow. The manager who once trusted him, had now erased him completely.

In Saudi Arabia, Mahrez found peace again. He was welcomed like a king. Fans adored him. Coaches trusted him. He was given the freedom to play his game. And for the first time in a long time, he smiled again. The sparkle returned to his eyes. The joy returned to his heart. But deep down, he carried the scar of how it all ended at Manchester City.

He never wanted to leave that way. He never wanted to say goodbye with bitterness. But Pep Guardiola’s betrayal changed everything. It wasn’t just about being benched. It was about being lied to. Being replaced without explanation. Being cast aside without closure. And no matter how many goals he scores in Saudi Arabia, that pain will never fully go away.

Mahrez looks back at his City days with mixed emotions. He remembers the good times—the Premier League wins, the FA Cup goals, the Champions League journey. But when he thinks of the end, it hurts. Because it didn’t have to end like that. He deserved better. He gave everything to that club. He fought for every minute on the pitch. He sacrificed. And in the end, he was discarded like a used item. No handshake. No thank you. Just silence. Fans still chant his name. His highlights still play on TV. But Mahrez has moved on. And in his heart, he has accepted the painful truth. Pep Guardiola, the man he once admired,