How does Nwaneri fit in to Arsenal's new-look front five?

Wiegman must stop playing with fire for England to win Euros

Liverpool spending big on unproven Ekitike is INSANE

Why is Osimhen set to spend his best years at Galatasaray?

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Mbappe set to take new Real Madrid shirt number

Sterling set for fresh start abroad with Champions League club  

Transfers LIVE: Liverpool target Isak after striker asks to leave

West Ham face being kicked out of London Stadium in 2029

Mourinho insists Club World Cup 'only important for Chelsea'

'Should have addressed it earlier' - Garber on Messi's absence

MLS stars surprised by Messi, Alba no-shows at ASG training

<ul><li>Gunners spending big in summer window</li><li>Held talks regarding Portuguese midfielder</li><li>Unable to agree a deal with German giants</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Revealed: Arsenal made shock bid to sign Harry Kane's Bayern Munich team-mate before Club World Cup and Martin Zubimendi swoop

Club Friendlies

Arsenal

Newcastle United

Bayern Munich

Lyon

<p>The Gunners always intended to acquire Spain international Zubimendi, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/martin-zubimendi-finally-gunner-arsenal-announce-60m-signing-spanish-midfielder-real-sociedad-real-madrid/blt1abafdd29133d980" target="_blank">a £60 million ($80m) transfer being completed with Real Socieda</a>d. He was, however, not the only midfielder that Mikel Arteta had on his recruitment radar.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>According to <a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/ernste-verhandlungen-enthuellt-arsenal-wollte-diesen-bayern-star-6877814775e6eb6eedf7f1a8 " target="_blank"><em>Bild</em></a>, Arsenal made a serious play for Portuguese star Palhinha before Bayern headed to the FIFA Club World Cup. He is a player with Premier League experience from a spell at Fulham.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Palhinha<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/joao-palhinha-speaks-out-after-finally-completing-eur50m-transfer-from-bayern-munich-to-fulham/bltecd9192fde89b43a" target="_blank"> left Craven Cottage for the Allianz Arena</a> in 2024 for £48m ($64m). He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/joao-palhinha-hints-bayern-munich-dream-gloomy-assessment-debut-season/blt1fc3bdc375b92a27" target="_blank">endured a testing debut campaign in Germany</a> - despite becoming a Bundesliga title winner - with only seven league starts taken in while sitting out two months through injury.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>It is claimed that Bayern were <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/most-disappointing-signings-2024-25-european-season-ranked/blt89126275ed63ab50" target="_blank">willing to offload Palhinha back to English football</a> for around £26m ($35m), as they took a hefty financial hit on the 30-year-old, but Arsenal were unable to agree a deal during transfer talks.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Despite missing out on Palhinha, Arteta has been able to add Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga to his ranks. Deals for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-transfer-puzzle-complete-viktor-gyokeres-no-excuses-big-spending-mikel-arteta-premier-league-title-race/blta59bb5f8268f148a" target="_blank">Chelsea winger Noni Madueke and Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres are also in the pipeline</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Revealed: Arsenal made shock bid to sign Harry Kane's Bayern Munich team-mate before Club World Cup and Martin Zubimendi swoop | Goal.com

Arsenal reportedly made a shock bid to sign Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich team-mate Joao Palhinha before snapping up Martin Zubimendi.

Next matches