Rumour Reel: Arsenal make Slimani contact in bid to finally bolster attacking ranks

The exciting 22-year-old playmaker is reportedly on the verge of signing with the south coast club, in a switch which would see him become their most expensive player ever, overtaking former flop Pablo Daniel Osvaldo who cost a substantial £15m three years ago.

Having sold the club’s joint top Premier League scorers from last season Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle, Boufal will give the Saints a much-needed boost in their attacking ranks, with the forward having also been tracked by Chelsea, Tottenham and Juventus.

Boufal netted 11 goals and set up five more last campaign in Ligue 1, though his season was prematurely ended in May as he needed to undergo knee surgery. The midfielder is now back to fitness though and could soon be arriving at St Mary’s as Southampton’s record signing.

Sunderland close on Manquillo

David Moyes recently admitted that his new side Sunderland will likely be involved in another top tier relegation battle this season, but the Scot is set to move for an Atletico Madrid defender in hope of helping to avoid such a familiar scenario.

The Blacks Cats are chasing Atleti’s Javier Manquillo as they seek the 22-year-old on a season-long loan deal from La Liga, with the defender having previously failed to impress during a short spell under Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool in 2014/15.

Manquillo has been capped seven times by Spain Under-21s and shone during a more recent loan stint in France with Marseille, but currently remains surplus to requirements at Atletico, as Moyes makes his move.

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