Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Alvaro Morata and Yannick Carrasco, Top Rumours

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Arsenal ^[1]'s chances of landing Juventus ^[2] star Alvaro Morata have been boosted after he expressed interest in a move to the Premier League.

According to Joaquin Maroto of Spanish newspaper AS (h/t Dan Gibbs of the Express), the Spaniard—whom Arsenal have reportedly bid £51 million for—said:^[3]^[4]

There are some offers from England that are tempting, not only by the contract.

I think for my characteristics the Premier League would also be a great destination.

I say going to the Premier League would not be a step backwards.

With what I have learned in Italy, if I have the chance to learn something more in England I think it would make me a more complete, better player.

GianlucaDiMarzio.com's David Amoyal is an admirer of the forward and believes he has the capacity to shine wherever he plays:

@ZoumZoum_5 ^[5] @Total__Football ^[6] I think he'd do well anywhere
— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) May 19, 2016 ^[7]

The 23-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Bianconeri, providing 12 goals and as many assists to help the Old Lady win Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Here are some of his highlights:

BeIN Sports' Matteo Bonetti hailed Morata when he netted the decisive goal against AC Milan ^[10] in the Coppa Italia final:

A last parting gift for Juventus from Morata. As always, he scores in the biggest games.
— Matteo Bonetti (@TheCalcioGuy) May 21, 2016 ^[11]

Though he could do with becoming more prolific whether he moves or stays put, the Spain international's excellent all-round play goes some way to making up for that, as he can create chances for his team-mates and terrorise defences with his pacey dribbling.

The noises he's making will come as encouraging news to the Gunners, but it's likely they'll face stiff competition from their rivals for his signature.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Meanwhile, according to Gazzetta dello Sport's Emanuele Giulianelli, Arsenal have made contact with Atletico Madrid ^[12] regarding winger Yannick Carrasco:

Arsenal asked Atletico Madrid to be allowed to make a bid for Carrasco. Atletico available to listen. About €20/25mln
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) May 30, 2016 ^[13]

The Belgian arrived at the Vicente Calderon Stadium from AS Monaco last summer and enjoyed a strong debut season with Los Rojiblancos.

He racked up five goals and the same number of assists in all competitions, notably finding the net in the UEFA Champions League final to force the game to extra time.

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez believes the 22-year-old should have started the match:

Simeone got the team selection wrong. Carrasco easily one of Atleti's best performers this season and is very good vs low-block. Why bench?
— Sergi Domínguez (@FutbolSergi) May 28, 2016 ^[14]

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez sung the winger's praises during Barcelona's 2-1 defeat of Atletico in January, noting his development under Atleti manager Diego Simeone:

Carrasco man of the match, created everything for Atleti, be it with eleven, ten or nine men. Splendid performance by the Belgian.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 30, 2016 ^[15]

Carrasco is brilliant. Choosing to play under Simeone was the right choice.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) January 30, 2016 ^[16]

As is required of all players under the Argentinian, the youngster works hard for his team. One thing he needs to work on is his end product, though—according to Squawka ^[17], he completed 67 take-ons in La Liga this season but created just 21 chances.

Still, he's a promising player. He has little reason to leave Atletico, though, and it seems likely he'd prefer to stay and continue his development under Simeone.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Closer to home, Arsenal will reportedly send Calum Chambers out on loan next season as they prepare to recruit a more experienced centre-back.

What should Arsenal do with Chambers next season?

According to the Telegraph's John Percy, the 21-year-old remains part of manager Arsene Wenger's long-term plans, but he'll be loaned out to gain more experience—potentially to former club Southampton ^[19], Crystal Palace ^[20], Bournemouth ^[21], Swansea City ^[22] or Watford ^[23], who have all scouted him.^{[18]< /sup>}

In his stead, Percy reports, Wenger will look to sign a centre-back who can make an instant impact in the team, with Napoli ^[24]'s Kalidou Koulibaly representing a possible £20 million option.

Such a move would make sense—Chambers played just 51 minutes of Premier League football in 2016, and a top centre-back would make the Gunners more resilient and therefore better equipped to sustain a challenge for the league title.