Arsenal boost as Rangers target midfielder, Celtic close on Benfica star

English Premier League giants Arsenal could have handed Rangers a boost as they aim to add a former Gunners transfer to their squad.

The future of Albert Sambi Lokonga was the subject of intense speculation over the last month after he returned to the Emirates Stadium following a loan spell at Luton Town. Several clubs were linked with the once-capped Belgium international but it was La Liga club Sevilla that won the race for his services as the powerful midfielder agreed to a season-long loan spell at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

That move could aid Rangers bid to land Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan, who was linked with a big money move to Arsenal in January 2021. The former Espanyol and Eibar star has reportedly been told he can leave the La Liga club this summer after he made just 13 appearances in all competitions and a reported change in stance from Sevilla looks to have improved Rangers’ chances of landing the 30-year-old.

Speaking earlier this month to ABC, Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta said of Jordan and former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj: "They have been told that they are not part of the project. We respect their contracts, but it is better that they choose other options. The club communicated to the representatives of Jordan its intention, we believed that its cycle has ended. It has been very clear to him. His representative had a meeting with the club and he was told clearly."

Initial reports suggested Sevilla were looking for any willing suitors to cover 100 percent of Jordan’s £69,000-a-week wage - but the latest reports from Spain have now claimed the La Liga club will accept a 50 percent contribution. Alaves and a number of Greek clubs are said to be providing competition for Rangers as they look to land the midfielder.

Celtic close on £3.3m midfielder as contract details ‘revealed’

Celtic kicked off their summer recruitment with the cut-price signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo - and are rapidly closing in on two more deals.

Joe Hart’s decision to bring down the curtain on his playing career meant Brendan Rodgers was always going to target an experienced goalkeeper and the box is set to be ticked by the signing of former Leicester City and Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is set to undergo a medical over the coming days. A familiar face is also said to be close to a quickfire return to Celtic after a deal for former loan star Paulo Bernardo has been reportedly agreed with Portuguese giants Benfica. The 22-year-old scored four goals and provided three assists in 33 appearances in all competitions last season and became a regular feature of Rodgers’ starting eleven.

Reports in Portuguese outlet A Bola have suggested Celtic have agreed to pay £3.3million to secure Bernardo on a permanent deal and revealed the midfielder will earn just under £17,500-a-week over the course of a four-year deal as he moves closer to become Rodgers’ latest summer additions.