Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Players and Signings Linked to Gunners

Arsenal are set to face stiff competition in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko, as Spanish giants Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for his signature.

Spanish newspaper Sport (via Chris Waugh of the Newcastle Chronicle) revealed Real are looking to bite back at rivals Barcelona after losing out on the signing of Andre Gomes, and Sissoko is the man they’ll turn to.

Sissoko was highly rated during his time at St James’ Park, although his performances in the 2015/16 season left a lot to be desired.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

The Magpies needed a leader to steer them away from their relegation troubles, and the Frenchman failed to step up to the plate.

However, in Euro 2016, representing host nation France, he showed the world exactly what he’s capable of.

The 26-year-old used his pace and power to turn defence into attack, with some gut-busting runs to get the French on the front foot. In fact, he embarked on the third-most dribbles in the tournament, according to OptaJoe:

His end product was decent enough, too. It was almost as if Sissoko was using Euro 2016 to bolster his CV and navigate a route away from Championship football.

That much caught the attention of the Gunners and other big clubs around the world, which has now played right into Newcastle's hands. Waugh said Sissoko’s performances have given the Magpies licence to charge what they want for their midfielder:

And that’s a chance they’ve taken. Aaron Flanagan of Daily Mirror wrote that Newcastle are demanding £35 million to allow the Frenchman to leave the club.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will likely wince at such a staggering sum, but Real appear happy to negotiate and could offer a player-plus-cash deal to get Sissoko to the Bernabeu.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are said to be closing in on last season’s PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

According to the French edition of Eurosport (via Lee Thomas-Mason of Metro), the Leicester City star has his heart set on a move to Arsenal and will depart for £41 million.

It’s also believed that Wenger met with Mahrez’s agent after Arsenal’s pre-season friendly with Lens, via AFC Watch:

"

Mahrez's agent at the Lens game. #AFC #Mahrez pic.twitter.com/1DBgqBAiXp

— AFCWatch (@AFC_Watch) July 23, 2016"

The Gunners aren’t famed for showing a great deal of ambition in the transfer window, but Wenger isn’t afraid to splash the cash when the right targets come about.

Mahrez and Sissoko can certainly be described as the right players for the north Londoners, and it would be far from a surprise to see Wenger lay his cards on the table sooner rather than later.