Rumour reel: Chelsea enter the race for Sanches

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been preoccupied with improving his squad over the summer, searching the European transfer market for players good enough to come in and help the Londoners return to the top-four of the Premier League at the first time of asking. The under-fire Frenchman has been slowly working through his summer wish list, but one man who looks set to move in the opposite direction is Lucas Perez. The 28-year-old Spaniard joined Arsenal from La Liga side Deportivo last year for £17m, but he hasn’t settled at the club, and is now on his way back. Perez’s agent said Deportivo have made an offer to take his client back to Estadio Riazor, and it will be accepted. A lack of first team opportunities forcing the move.

Magpies swoop on midfield pair

Newcastle got to work, signing Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund in a season-long loan deal. Dedicated football fans may have spotted the Spanish midfielder during the U21 European Championship last month, the Spaniards losing out to Germany in the final. Despite being a regular in La Liga, Merino has found game time thin on the ground in Germany, and will see a move to the Premier League as an ideal way to prove his worth. He won’t be the last new face through the door at St James Park either, Rafael Benitez ready to swoop on Benfica’s hard-working Greek Andreas Samaris. The 28-year-old midfielder has agreed terms, and will arrive in England shortly to put pen to paper.

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