Arsenal transfer news: Domagoj Vida move fails to materialise after Ousmane Dembele laughs off Barca rumours

A full round-up of Arsenal's transfer deadline day

Arsenal 2018/19 Premier League profile

As expected Arsenal decided against adding to their squad on transfer deadline day, as Unai Emery finalises his preparations for the new Premier League season.

There was no late deal for Croatia international Domagoj Vida, while earlier in the day Ousmane Dembele laughed off speculation he could quit Barcelona for London.

It was a busier day in terms of outgoings, with 29-year-old forward Lucas Pérez ending his two year association with the club with a cut-price deal to West Ham.

And the likes of David Ospina, Joel Campbell and Danny Welbeck could yet move abroad. Here’s a full round-up of Arsenal’s day.

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[9 August 2018 15:01 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Some good news ahead of this weekend’s match against Manchester City: Aaron Ramsey has today returned to full training.

The midfielder has been dragging his heels over signing a contract extension leading to several rumours he could join Chelsea ahead of the new campaign.

But no such deal has materialised and Ramsey will likely be available for selection from next week.  

[9 August 2018 15:37 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Further confirmation that David Ospina isn’t going anywhere just yet…

The goalkeeper can be spotted 38-seconds of the way through the above clip, as Arsenal prepare for this weekend’s visit of Manchester City.

And it look as though he could do with a bit longer on the training field ahead of the new season. He can be seen making a right hash of a routine Shkodran Mustafi back-pass.

[9 August 2018 16:01 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

We're into the final hour of the 2018 summer transfer window!

[9 August 2018 16:11 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Perhaps there will be some late movement after all.

Sky Sports News are reporting that David Ospina has agreed personal terms with Besiktas.

Will it be a permanent move or loan?

[9 August 2018 16:36 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Half an hour remaining of this damp squib of a transfer deadline day, and former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise has just had a pop at Unai Emery on talkSPORT.

Arsenal have recruited well this summer, spending within their means and addressing a series of problem positions. And yet Wise thinks they look dangerously short at the back.

“The defenders that he’s brought in, I think that was a key part of where Arsenal struggled,” he said.

“I think they conceded 51 goals which was quite high for Arsenal. But what they haven’t added is pace.

“Sokratis is not for me. I watched him play against Chelsea and he got dominated and he lacked a lot of pace.

“Lichtsteiner is obviously 34 years old, hasn’t got a lot of pace and they haven’t added that.

“So, therefore, I think they’re going to struggle.

“I look at the personnel that they’ve brought in and the position they ended up, sixth last year, and that’s where I see Arsenal.

“I don’t see that they’ve improved loads. My concern is their defence still.

“He hasn’t convinced me with who he’s brought in.”

[9 August 2018 16:53 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

The Arsenal Twitter account has gone very quiet with just five minutes of the window remaining...

[9 August 2018 16:58 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Joel Campbell has been handed the #35 shirt for the coming season.

He's still at Arsenal, as is goalkeeper David Ospina, who has been in talks with Besiktas.

But remember: both players can move even after this evening's transfer deadline, as European clubs are still able to buy players. 

[9 August 2018 17:01 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

THE 2018 SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW HAS CLOSED!

[9 August 2018 17:07 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Arsenal transfer window round-up:

IN:

Stephan Lichtsteiner, Juventus, Free

Bernd Leno, Bayer Leverkusen, £19.2m

Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Borussia Dortmund, £14.8m

Lucas Torreira, Sampdoria, £26.4m

Mattéo Guendouzi, Lorient, £7m

OUT:

Per Mertesacker, retired

Santi Cazorla, Villarreal, Free

Jack Wilshere, West Ham, Free

Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Angers, £1.5m

Chuba Akpom, PAOK, £2m

Lucas Pérez, West Ham, £4m

[9 August 2018 17:24 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

The Telegraph are reporting that Newcastle expressed an interest in signing Danny Welbeck very late into the window, although clearly no move was completed.

Which rather begs the question: why did they leave it so late?

Welbeck could still move overseas of course, or he’ll likely spend the next few months playing fighting Alexandre Lacazette for a spot on Unai Emery’s bench.