Arsenal and Chelsea battle for Darryl Bakola, Barcelona drop Marc Guehi interest in boost for Liverpool – Euro Transfer News

Arsenal and Chelsea in battle for Bakola

The midfielder burst onto the scene earlier this season when Marseille beat Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League, with Bakola registering a decisive assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser.

Marseille have reportedly made Bakola’s situation a “top priority” as they look to tie him down, with a contract offer on the table for their prized asset.

As well as Chelsea and Arsenal, Newcastle are also reportedly interested.

The report explains: “Behind the scenes, the tone is both supportive and firm. OM, believing they have sufficiently demonstrated to these young talents that they represent the future of the club by increasingly integrating them, doesn’t want to relive the endless sagas of the past, where young talents left on free transfers after receiving advanced training at the club.

“In short, January will be a decisive month for the player considered one of the club’s brightest prospects.

“Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia’s top priority remains keeping the Clichy native. However, the club isn’t going to back down: if Darryl Bakola doesn’t sign soon, a transfer this winter isn’t out of the question to avoid being left without a transfer fee.

Watch Aubameyang stun Newcastle with rapid-fire brace

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“According to English sources, Chelsea is making moves behind the scenes regarding the OM number 50 and is already considering sending him to Strasbourg on loan. But that’s not all, as Newcastle, Arsenal, Stuttgart, and Dortmund are also very interested. The message is clear: the French U20 international must decide.”

Barca cool Guehi interest

Marc Guehi scored a late equaliser against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday before Crystal Palace were eliminated, but could it be his last in Palace colours?

However, it will not likely be Barcelona, while Liverpool – who are hoping to pick him up as a free transfer next year – have been given a boost in their efforts to sign the English defender.

The report explains: “The Crystal Palace defender has been a target for Barca, who have been monitoring him and even met with his agents.

“The financial differences, however, were significant, and the dialogue cooled considerably. There has been no contact between the two parties for several weeks now, while other clubs are much more active in pursuing the English centre-back.

Marc Guehi

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“Crystal Palace assumes the defender will leave on a free transfer next summer. In fact, they rejected a €40 million offer in the last summer transfer window, and clubs like Liverpool and Bayern Munich are considered frontrunners and are prepared to offer the England international a substantial salary. Guehi, for his part, doesn’t want to wait long to resolve his future and could sign with his next club as early as January.”

Barca and Atleti track Bournemouth ace

Marcos Senesi is the subject of conversation for Spanish giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who are both looking to bolster their backline.

The report reads: “Barcelona and Atletico are in the market for defenders, and both have shown interest in the other big-name prospective free agents Marc Guehi, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate. But now Senesi has emerged as an option for both clubs – who see him as an excellent signing to come in, and have held talks.

“Bournemouth have already accepted that they are losing Senesi after he rejected multiple offers to renew. The 28-year-old has already been spoken to by a number of clubs, including some in England, but a move to Spain looks the most likely scenario at this stage.”

Gunners keen on another Italian left-back

The Gunners already have Riccardo Calafiori in their ranks, who they signed from Bologna in 2024, but they are already looking at another Italian left-back.

Despite having Myles Lewis-Skelly in their squad as well, Mikel Arteta may have one eye on the future as the club tracks 19-year-old Davide Bartesaghi.

Although the young defender has recently put pen to paper on a long-term deal, AC Milan are well aware that the teenager is making waves around Europe.

Davide Bartesaghi

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“English ears, however, remain alert, especially at Arsenal, who had their eye on him already this summer. For now, the issue isn’t an issue, but one thing is obvious: the more Bartesaghi makes headlines, the more temptations will have to be resisted.”