Ex-Gunner in advanced talks for vacant managerial position

Oxford are looking for a new head coach after sacking Matt Bloomfield, while Aaron Ramsey is also believed to have interest from Wales if Craig Bellamy moves on.

Aaron Ramsey is in advanced talks to become the new head coach of Oxford United, with the former Arsenal midfielder ready to take the first significant step in his managerial career.

Oxford are looking for a new head coach after sacking Matt Bloomfield at the weekend. Bloomfield was appointed in January 2026 and oversaw a second half of a season that ended in relegation to League One, leaving the club to reset quickly before the new campaign.

Ramsey’s name has also been discussed in relation to the Wales job should Craig Bellamy leave to take over at Burnley, but the 35-year-old is believed to prefer beginning his managerial career in club football rather than stepping straight into a national-team role.

That would fit with what Ramsey said only a few months ago, when he confirmed that coaching was now his intended path after announcing his retirement from playing in April. His brief spell as interim head coach at Cardiff City only focussed that ambition, rather than making him hesitate after three games without a win.

“That [managing Arsenal or Wales] would be the dream,” Ramsey admitted (via The S*n). “I know there is a long way to go before then. It’s time to go into coaching now. 100 per cent.

“I managed Cardiff for a few games but that just made me realise it’s definitely the next step for me. That will be on the cards next.

“I’m really excited. I’ve had some coaching exposure around the Wales set-up, working with some unbelievable staff there and I’ve done some work with Cardiff’s u18s so I’ve been keeping myself busy.”

Oxford may now offer the route into that future.

Ramsey played 369 times for Arsenal, but the wider arc of his career was altered on 27 February 2010, when Ryan Shawcross went through the teenager at the Britannia and caused a double fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

The injury was horrific, players were visibly distressed, and Ramsey required immediate surgery before beginning a recovery that was both physically and psychologically gruelling. He was out for almost a year.

Ramsey made it back, and returned to the elite level, but his career was irreparably damaged. Successive loan spells were needed to rebuild him, and although he became a hugely important player for Arsenal, the injury pattern of his career had already started to form.

Now Ramsey is preparing for the next part of his football life.

Oxford, newly relegated and in need of direction, may offer that platform. For Arsenal supporters, it would be the start of a coaching journey that Ramsey has already admitted he hopes might one day bring him back to the Emirates.

• Vinicius Junior hesitates on Real Madrid renewal amid Arsenal push

  Vinicius Junior is reportedly not particularly keen on renewing his contract with Real Madrid, with Arsenal fully aligned on trying to lure him to north London.

  

  At this stage, it’s common knowledge that Arsenal want to sign Vinicius Junior, that Real Madrid would like to extend his contract, and that the winger and his club are quite a way apart in extension negotiations.

  With Vinicius’ deal up in less than a year, Real may need to sell now if they want to avoid losing the player for free.

  Over in Brazil, Jorge Nicola reports that contract talks have stalled, and Real insist they have made their final offer. Nicola adds that as it stands, Vinicius doesn’t seem particularly keen on renewing, with Arsenal keeping a close eye on the situation.

  

  Rodra reports for ESPN Deportes that the ball is entirely in Vinicius’ court, and it’s ultimately going to come down to what he wants.

  The journalist claims Arsenal’s pursuit is not just about Mikel Arteta or Andrea Berta, but also the club’s owners. KSE are determined to pull off a big deal like this, and they’re ready to go all out to sign the player.

  According to Rodra, Arsenal have spoken with Vinicius’ camp and told them they’re ready to make a move.

  

  David Ornstein, Mario Cortegana, and James McNicholas reported for The Athletic on Saturday that Vinicius’ future remains up in the air, but the Arsenal transfer appeals to Vinicius if he doesn’t renew his contract.

  An agreement on personal terms isn’t expected to be a problem for the Gunners, and The Athletic’s report adds that there are key figures at Madrid who apparently favour selling this summer, if Vinicius doesn’t agree an extension.

  But The Athletic did add that Vinicius is willing to lower his demands to reach a compromise with Real Madrid. The question is only whether that will be enough to bridge a “significant” gap between the two parties. Especially if Real stand by their stance that they won’t improve their offer.

  Arsenal have reportedly been working behind the scenes for months, and Berta has told the player’s camp that he would be the star of the Gunners’ project. They now await Vinicius’ decision.

  

• Arsenal schedule medical for Newcastle United star

  Bruno Guimaraes’ transfer from Newcastle United to Arsenal is still not done, but the player is now expected to complete the move with a medical even pencilled in.

  

  Fabrizio Romano reports that Bruno Guimaraes is now very close to joining Arsenal, with the ‘green light’ to the move now imminent.

  Newcastle United have reportedly internally accepted that Bruno is going, and they’ve started working on signing a replacement for new manager Matthias Jaissle.

  Romano adds that Bruno agreed personal terms with Arsenal weeks ago, and he’s just waiting for the fee to be agreed and to hold a medical with his new club.

  

  Sam Dean clarified for The Telegraph on Saturday night that the deal between the two clubs still wasn’t done, but that it’s edging closer, and the midfielder is Arsenal’s top target in his position.

  Dean reported that it’s thought Arsenal could pay around £80m to complete the signing. The player himself made it clear he wants to join the Gunners a while ago.

  Isaan Khan reports for the Daily Mail that Arsenal have reserved a slot on Monday for Bruno’s medical, and there’s a chance he’ll be on the plane to Dublin for the team’s friendly against Real Betis on Wednesday.

  

  On the other side, Newcastle journalists continue to insist that things aren’t nearly so advanced. Ross Gregory reports for ChronicleLive that Newcastle are playing down reports of a medical, denying an agreement with Arsenal, and even denying the two clubs are in formal contact.

  But even Newcastle’s side now accept that they’re expecting to receive that official bid soon. There are suggestions from elsewhere that Arsenal have been informally working with intermediaries towards reaching a verbal agreement, before formally submitting a bid they know will be accepted.

  With Bruno due to fly out to join Newcastle’s training camp on Sunday, this is crunch time for the transfer.

  

• Arsenal agree deal to sell midfielder

  Christian Norgaard is set to join Everton, with Arsenal having agreed a fee to sell the 32-year-old midfielder a year after signing him.

  

  David Ornstein broke the news for The Athletic on Saturday that Everton have reached an agreement in principle to sign Christian Norgaard from Arsenal for a fee in the region of £7m.

  Ornstein reports that if the deal is formalised, Norgaard will undergo a medical next week and become Everton’s fourth signing of the summer.

  Norgaard joined Arsenal last July for £10m, plus £2m in add-ons, signing a two-year deal with the option of a third. So a £7m sale isn’t bad business, for a player who is now a year older and technically in the final 12 months of his contract.

  

  Sam Dean confirms for The Telegraph that Norgaard is close to joining Everton in a £7m deal, with Arsenal close to signing Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes as a midfield replacement.

  Norgaard was in attendance for Arsenal’s friendly match against Girona on Saturday, but it was notable that he didn’t make the squad for the game. Presumably, Mikel Arteta didn’t want to risk an injury given the player’s likely imminent transfer.

  It’s been reported all summer that Arsenal were willing to listen to bids for Norgaard, with Crystal Palace also among the clubs interested in signing him.

  Though Norgaard only joined Arsenal in 2025, his limited minutes meant a departure was always on the table. The Danish midfielder played just 1,040 minutes, the equivalent of fewer than 12 full matches. For a 63-game Arsenal season, that’s not a lot.

  

  Norgaard became a Premier League winner in his first season with the Gunners, as well as making his first appearances in the Champions League.

  But after retiring from international football, he’ll want to ensure he’s playing for his club in 2026/27. With Arsenal looking to make another big-money midfield signing, Norgaard’s best hopes of starts are probably with a new club like Everton.

  

• Rice played pivotal role in Arsenal’s Eze signing

  Eberechi Eze has revealed that it was only encouragement from Declan Rice that ultimately led to his Arsenal transfer last summer.

  

  Eberechi Eze was one of the big transfer stories of the 2025 summer window, with Tottenham Hotspur pushing hard to sign the midfielder only for Arsenal to hijack the deal late on.

  Speaking to the Arsenal website, Eze has now revealed that Declan Rice played a key role in the hijack, convincing the Crystal Palace player to have a phone call with Mikel Arteta.

  “I’m only here because Declan told me to just call him,” Eze confirmed.

  

  Eze believes the move was meant to be, and Arsenal report that the player feels the message came from a higher power through Rice to change the course of his life.

  It certainly seems as though he’s happy with his decision to have that phone call, saying: “What Mikel has done is special. I don’t think you’ll understand the effect he’s had and what it takes to create something like he’s done.

  “He’s come in and completely changed the whole identity and turned it into something else and put it in motion and allowed it to express itself and be free.

  “The opportunity that’s provided is just insane. I have to thank him massively for that. I love that we were able to do this (winning the league) for him and to achieve this for him.”

  

  From an Arsenal point of view, if you’ll excuse the phrasing, it all worked out. The Gunners won the league, and Eze had some big moments along the way.

  The midfielder assisted a vital equaliser against Manchester City in September, he scored the winner against his old club Crystal Palace in October, he scored a hat-trick in the north London derby in November, then added another two goals in the reverse fixture in February.

  At that point in February, Arsenal were faltering, dropping points against Brentford and Wolves. A defeat away to Spurs could have really shaken the team, ahead of another London derby at home to Chelsea.

  Arsenal’s next misstep was in April, losing consecutive games to Bournemouth and Manchester City. Once again, Eze provided the response with his winner against Newcastle United.

  

  There were so many important contributions by so many players in Arsenal’s eventual title success, including from Rice himself. The trophy win wasn’t down to any one individual by any means.

  But Rice’s nudge to send Eze in Arteta’s direction is one of many factors that ultimately saw them all crowned champions of England.

  

• Arsenal close to signing young striker from Crystal Palace

  Arsenal are now closing in on the signing of 16-year-old striker Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace, according to a report.

  

  Sam Dean of The Telegraph reports that Arsenal are now closing in on the signing of Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace, after reports linked the two earlier this week.

  Isaan Khan had reported for the Daily Mail that Arsenal were pushing hard to acquire the 16-year-old striker this summer, hoping to add him to the academy signings of Elijah Upson (Tottenham Hotspur) and Axel Donczew (Cardiff City, not yet official).

  

  Arsenal have repeatedly made moves to sign youth strikers in recent transfer windows, but without much success.

  The Gunners made multiple bids for Igor Tyjon last summer, only to see them all turned down by Blackburn Rovers. Tyjon has since extended his scholarship contract for an extra year with his current club, though there are suggestions Arsenal’s interest remains.

  Arsenal also tried to sign James Wilson on loan from Hearts in January, but the player ended up at Spurs. Wilson’s underwhelming spell in London ended with Spurs deciding not to take up their purchase option, so the Gunners won’t feel too bad about that one.

  

  That’s all led Arsenal to Bernard, who stepped up into u18 football on many occasions last season. U16 by age, the striker scored six goals in 708 minutes, a strong start to life in the u18 Premier League.

  Bernard is also an England youth international, scoring four goals and assisting two in his eight appearances for the England u16s.

  With any luck, the deal will soon be completed and announced, and the new signing can focus on pre-season in north London.