Today's Gossip: Gunners Chase Mario Lemina; Chelsea Open Talks With Bakayoko

GUNNERS CHASE £20M LEMINA
Arsenal are ready to bid for Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina, according to reports.

The London Evening Standard suggest 23-year-old central midfielder Lemina is Arsene Wenger’s “preferred target”.

Lemina, who has been likened to Manchester United’s world-record signing Paul Pogba, is also believed to be open to a move to England.

Lemina has only made eight Serie A starts this season and Juve will allow the fringe man to move on for a fee of around £20million.

It is also understood agreeing personal terms with the Gabon international should not pose a problem.

Roma and Schalke are also believed to be keen on Lemina, whose arrival “would raise further question marks over Jack Wilshere’s future at Emirates Stadium”.

BLUES WANT €50M BAKAYOKO
Chelsea will “open negotiations” with Monaco next week over the €50million signing of  Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Antonio Conte will have in excess of £200million to spend this summer and midfielder enforcer Bakayoko is at the top of his wanted list.

Chelsea are also keen on Bakayoko’s team-mate and fellow France international midfielder, Thomas Lemar, but they are convinced Monaco will not sell both players to them. So they will pursue the 22-year-old Bakayoko, who has been a key part of Monaco’s Ligue 1 winning side.


In Other News
Manchester United and Manchester City could both move for Barcelona forward Neymar after the 25-year-old Brazil international's father urged him to leave Barcelona for the Premier League. (Express)

Arsenal's hopes of signing forward Alexandre Lacazette, 25, appear to have ended after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed the long-time Gunners target has verbally agreed to join Atletico Madrid. (L'Equipe, via Daily Star)

Burnley boss Sean Dyche insists the Clarets will not sell 24-year-old defender Michael Keane, who is a target for former club Manchester United, unless a suitable deal can be struck. (Metro)

Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign 22-year-old Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva, who is also a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Le 10 Sport via Daily Express)

Striker Sergio Aguero and manager Pep Guardiola have both confirmed the Argentine, 28, will remain a Manchester City player. (Independent)

Bayern Munich have asked Arturo Vidal about Arsenal's 28-year-old forward Alexis Sanchez, the midfielder has revealed. (Standard)

And Chile midfielder Vidal says he is encouraging the Bundesliga club to sign compatriot Sanchez. (Sun)

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has signalled his intent to retain 18-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe, a target for several Premier League teams, for at least another season. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the work has been done in terms of new signings and, after the club qualified for the Champions League, that "now we have to make decisions" and "negotiations need to be done". (Times - subscription required)

Former referee Graham Poll believes Martin Atkinson made a mistake by not awarding a penalty against Liverpool when it was goalless in their 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday. (Daily Mail)

Leicester and West Brom are competing to sign Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson, 24, but could have to pay up to £20m for the Boro captain. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, 28, is in talks with Turkish side Fenerbahce about a £5m move, after being frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities behind Petr Cech. (Daily Mirror)

Everton boss Ronald Koeman will make a statement on 23-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley's future this week after speaking to the club's board. (Times - subscription required)

Newcastle are poised to firm up their interest in Burnley's 25-year-old striker Andre Gray. (Chronicle)

Sunderland manager David Moyes will hold talks with owner Ellis Short in London on Monday. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea are targeting Ajax's 20-year-old Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez. (Sport, via Daily Star)

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has reiterated he will be staying with the Spanish club. (Independent)

Paris St-Germain winger Angel di Maria, 29, is keen for a return to Real Madrid to fill the void which will be left by the expected departure of 25-year-old James Rodriguez. (Don Balon via Daily Star)