Arsenal 'will evaluate' Erling Haaland situation under one condition

Credit: Getty Images

Erling Haaland's name has been thrown into the Arsenal conversation, with the Gunners reportedly prepared to assess their options should Manchester City face removal from the Premier League.

TEAMtalk report that Arsenal would evaluate the circumstances if the Norway international were to be made available. Crucially, the same outlet states Haaland has not contemplated leaving the Etihad Stadium and remains committed to chasing the Premier League title this season.

That caveat matters. Any Arsenal move is conditional on a scenario that has not yet materialised, and the player himself is reported to be going nowhere.

Haaland 'hasn't changed a bit', says Norway team-mate

Haaland's Norway colleague Kristoffer Ajer, of Brentford, insists the striker has been entirely unaffected by the noise around his club.

"He's been exactly the way he's always the same with the national team," Ajer said. "He's truly focused on the upcoming games. I think he's trying to do the same as everyone else, wait and see what the outcome is... that's clearly been his way of doing it."

Asked whether Haaland's demeanour had changed, Ajer added: "No not at all. Ever since I met him brings lot of energy and joy to the group. The biggest compliment I always give is that he hasn't changed a bit from the moment I met him even though he's the biggest star on the planet right now. He's been exactly the same the last few days as well which is not a surprise for me."

Arsenal join race for £9m-rated Brazilian teenager

Elsewhere, Arsenal have reportedly entered the chase for Vasco da Gama prospect Breno Sales, with Chelsea and Manchester City also tracking the 16-year-old.

Brazilian media report that an offer approaching £9million has already been turned down for the defender, who has attracted attention from across Europe.

Sales began his career as a forward before converting to left-back and then moving into a more central role. He has featured 17 times this season and scored once, having won the U17 Copa do Brasil last year.

He is now a regular in Brazil's youth international setup and is expected to feature at the U17 World Cup in Qatar next month, offering Premier League scouts another extended look before deciding whether to firm up their interest.

Arteta sweats on international returns

Closer to home, Mikel Arteta has a week to wait before the Premier League returns with Leeds United's visit to the Emirates Stadium.

Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Ezri Konsa are all dealing with issues while away with their national teams. Havertz was substituted off for Germany against the Netherlands, though his injury is reported not to be long-term.

Arteta will monitor the remainder of the international fixtures before turning his attention fully to the restart of the domestic campaign.