Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tells Eddie Nketiah to leave Arsenal for Marseille

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has said he has told Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah to join Marseille, as the French club looks to strike a deal for the 25-year-old this summer.

Nketiah is expected to leave Arsenal during this transfer window after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium. The academy graduate has not started a league match since December.

Marseille have so far indicated they are willing to pay around £17 million for Nketiah, with talks expected to continue between the two clubs over the coming days.

Aubameyang, the former Arsenal captain who recently moved to Saudi Arabia, has now revealed his own role in Marseille’s pursuit. Aubameyang spent last season at the French club, scoring 30 goals in all competitions, and has encouraged Nketiah to make the move to the south of France.

In response to a post on social media asking him to “tell Nketiah to come to Marseille”, Aubameyang replied: “Already done.”

Nketiah has three years remaining on his contract at Arsenal, having signed a long-term deal in the summer of 2022. His career has stalled in recent months and he has so far been unable to add to the one England cap he earned in 2023.

West Ham in talks with Dortmund over Füllkrug

West Ham United are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a move for Germany striker Niclas Füllkrug as they look to strengthen their front line ahead of the new campaign.

West Ham have also shown interest this summer in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran but they are now stepping up their pursuit of Füllkrug, who struck 16 goals for Dortmund last season.

The 31-year-old scored twice for Germany at this summer’s European Championship, after helping his club to reach the final of the Champions League in June.

It remains to be seen whether West Ham can reach an agreement with Dortmund – and indeed whether they can convince Füllkrug to make the move to the Premier League.

West Ham are also continuing to work on a deal for Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Telegraph Sport reported this month that West Ham had entered the race for the 26-year-old, who has one year remaining on his United contract.

Wan-Bissaka’s future has become tied up with that of Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui. Both West Ham and United have shown interest in Mazraoui.

West Ham had agreed a fee of around £15 million to sign Mazraoui from Bayern but those talks have broken down, which has opened the door for United to move for the 26-year-old.

United can only sign another right-back if they sell Wan-Bissaka, though. An agreement with West Ham on Wan-Bissaka would therefore be an important step for United’s pursuit of Mazraoui.

West Ham have spent around £65 million this summer on deals to sign defender Max Kilman from Wolves (£40 million) and winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras (£25 million).

They have generated around £40 million through sales in this window, with much of that coming from the £18 million departure of midfielder Flynn Downes to newly promoted Southampton. Downes had spent last season on loan at Southampton.

Palace closing in on Sarr

Crystal Palace are believed to be close to completing the signing of Ismaila Sarr from Marseille in a deal worth around £12 million.

Sarr, formerly of Watford, will provide Palace with another attacking option on the flanks following the departure of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich this summer.

The 26-year-old Senegal international made more than 100 appearances for Watford before moving to France last year.

He is set to become Palace’s third signing of the summer, after defender Chadi Riad and midfielder Daichi Kamada.