Advertisement
Transfer News: Nwaneri to leave Arsenal as Barcelona edge closer to signing Rodri
16th August, 2026 05:28 PM
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri is set to depart the Gunners ahead of the new season, leading the latest transfer headlines on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The record-breaking teenager spent last season on loan at Marseille, and it has now been confirmed that he will not be staying in North London. AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are among the top European clubs actively vying for his signature.
Open for a deal
Arsenal are understood to be open to a permanent sale and are willing to listen to suitable offers for the gifted attacker.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are actively exploring options to restructure their attack and have already held talks with Turkish giants Galatasaray regarding the potential sale of either Gabriel Martinelli or Nwaneri.
Despite being involved in pre-season preparations, neither Martinelli nor Nwaneri was included in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad to face Manchester City in the FA Community Shield. Instead, summer signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimarães were handed starting berths by the Spanish manager.
Manchester City are also bracing for high-profile departures, as key midfielder Rodri was omitted from Enzo Maresca’s Community Shield squad. According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish international did not travel with the team to London.
Reports indicate that negotiations between Manchester City and Barcelona remain well underway, with both clubs working to reach a compromise and finalize a deal in the coming days.
In Italy, Juventus are closing in on a marquee signing between the posts as they attempt to lure Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to Serie A.
Football insider David Ornstein reported on Sunday that the Bianconeri submitted an improved bid for the World Cup winner and are increasingly confident of securing his signature after Villa reduced their valuation.
Juventus are offering up to KSh 1.49 billion (KSh 1.05 billion fixed plus KSh 448 million in performance-based add-ons), bringing them much closer to Aston Villa’s original demand of a guaranteed KSh 1.49 billion fixed fee.
In filling the void left by the keeper, Unai Emery’s team has moved in for Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The 23-year-old goalkeeper played for japan in the FIFA World Cup and is nearing a move to the EPL after an initial deal with PSG collapsed yesterday.
