Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Houssem Aouar, Thomas Partey, Boubakary Soumare – plus Premier League latest

The Gunners appear to be making progress to boost Mikel Arteta’s squad before the deadline on Monday

A second bid is being readied for Houssem Aouar (AFP via Getty)

Arsenal have just three days to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad after defeating Liverpool again on the pitch to prove the progress taking place under the Spaniard. The summer transfer window shuts on 5 October, with the penalty shoot-out win further boosting morale at the club, but now the Gunners must strengthen after the champions exposed their limitations in the first of the two recent meetings between the sides.

 Midfield is still seen as the key area to strengthen and the lengthy pursuits of Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar are ongoing. Sales are needed to fund those moves however, and Lucas Torreira is seemingly on the verge of joining Atletico, while Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil are seen as expendable but lack suitors. A cheaper alternative midfield target for Arsenal is Boubakary Soumare, with Lille ready to sell imminently.

Elsewhere, Sead Kolasinac could be heading to Borussia Dortmund, while Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe could earn loan moves to further develop with increased game time not available at the Emirates. Premier League clubs are thought to be keen on the youngsters. And in defence,  Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis and Calum Chambers also appear to be available as the Gunners look to cut their squad down. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and done deals:

Latest Arsenal transfer news, rumours and gossip

• Arsenal pushing for Aouar as Atletico stall on Partey
• Soumare seen as cheaper midfield alternative
• Torreira’s agent in Madrid for Atleti talks
• Dortmund make move for Kolasinac

[2 October 2020 13:16 · Michael Jones]

RAYA AGREES CONTRACT WITH BRENTFORD

David Raya has extended his contract with Brentford and will remain at the club until 2024. 

The 25-year-old was on Arsenal’s radar but the Championship side rejected a £10 million offer from the Gunners earlier in the transfer window. 

Instead Arsenal signed Alex Runarsson from Dijon as a back up to Bernd Leno. 

[2 October 2020 13:00 · Michael Jones]

NEXT THREE DAYS ‘CRUCIAL’ FOR ARTETA

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said the next three days of the transfer window are ‘crucial’ for the club moving forward into the rest of the season.

The Gunners are trying to sign Houssem Aouar from Lyon as well as offload a number of players including Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac. 

The Guardian say that 19-year-old William Saliba could be loaned out to Rennes and Arsenal may make a late move for Chelsea’s Jorginho. 

Arteta said: 

“It is a crucial moment because in the end it defines the people, the players, the balance and the quality that you’re going to have for the rest of the season,

“We need to make some decisions in the next three days. I think everything has been delayed so much, not just us but probably every team because of the context we’re in at the moment. We will try to make the best possible decisions and at the end, whatever we have, we go for it fully convinced and prepared to have a good season.”

[2 October 2020 12:42 · Michael Jones]

ARSENAL EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP ANNOUNCED

Arsenal have been drawn in Group B of the Europa League alongside Rapid Wien, Molde, and Dundalk.

For the full draw, have a gander below: 

[2 October 2020 12:35 · Michael Jones]

ARTETA AND KLOPP PRAISE LENO

Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp both heaped praise on Bernd Leno after his match winning performance against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last night. 

Arteta insists Leno’s impressive performance did not give him any more satisfaction after choosing the 28-year-old as Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper over Emi Martinez. 

[2 October 2020 12:19 · Michael Jones]

PRICE DROP FOR AOUAR

Arsenal’s pursuit of Houssem Aouar may have just taken a tunr for the better as Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas is prepared to drop his price for the midfielder.

Arsenal submitted an opening offer of £32million that was rejected last week. Aulas confirmed there was a bid from Arsenal, but said it was way off the price needed to ensure a sale

He told Canal+: “There was a timid offer. We felt like they didn’t consider the fact that this is a player in the French national team. So, it was an offer that did not even make us consider making a sale.”

The 71-year-old was then asked how much Lyon want for the player, €40million (£36m) or €50million (£45m).

“It is certainly more than the first number that you mentioned,” he replied.

But now, according to L'Equipe, Aulas is now prepared to drop his asking price to £36m and he is willing to sanction Aouar's exit at that price.

That means Arsenal only need a further £4 million to sign the player they’ve been chasing since the start of the window. 

[2 October 2020 12:04 · Michael Jones]

ARTETA HAPPY WITH ARSENAL’S TRANSFER BUSINESS

Mikel Arteta says he is happy with the way the club are handling the transfer window and that he has the full support from the owners.

Arsenal are chasing down a down a deal for Houssem Aouar and Arteta said: "I’m afraid I can’t give any update.”

He went on to speak about Arsenal’s transfer policy as a whole and added: “I am very confident with what we are trying to do internally. 

"The clarity from everyone in the club most importantly to get balance in the squad.

“I am very happy because the way we are acting around the market and the squad, the link between myself, Edu and the board is really good.

"After, in a deal you have three or four parties involved but I’m really happy with the link at the moment.

"We are trying our maximum, full support from the owners. With what we have, believe me, we will try our best.”

[2 October 2020 11:50 · Michael Jones]

NO GO ON RAYA

After selling Emi Martinez to Aston Villa earlier this summer, Arsenal were in the market for a new goalkeeper to play back up to Bernd Leno.

The Gunners brought in Alex Runarsson from Dijon but also enquired with Brentford over David Raya.

Even with the Runarsson deal complete Arsenal kept negotiations with Brentford open but they have been unable to agree a deal with the Championship side. 

Arsenal had been linked with a move for Brentford’s David Raya, but have been unable to agree a deal with the Championship side. 

Brentford were adamant that they would only let Raya leave if they were able to loan him back for the season and they rejected bids up to £10m. 

Arsenal are said to have ended their interest in the goalkeeper. 

[2 October 2020 11:33 · Michael Jones]

ARTETA TALKS SALIBA

Mikel Arteta has spoken about William Saliba’s future as reports emerged today over a possible season-long loan move for the 19-year-old.

Rennes have reportedly enquired about bringing the defender back to Ligue 1 and Arteta thinks it may help the youngster’s development. 

[2 October 2020 11:15 · Michael Jones]

JORGINHO BACK ON THE RADAR

With talks over Houssem Aouar’s move to the Emirates stalling and Mikel Arteta wanting to bring in another midfielder before the transfer window closes the Gunners have turned their eye back to Chelsea’s Jorginho.

According to Jorginho’s agent, Joao Santos, Chelsea chose to snub a swap deal for Jorginho that would’ve seen ex-Juventus and current Barcelona ace Miralem Pjanic move to Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea looking reluctant to lose Jorginho could Arsenal even manage to sign him before the dealine?  

[2 October 2020 10:56 · Michael Jones]

ATLETICO HOLD UP TORREIRA DEAL

Arsenal midfielder, Lucas Torreira, is all but ready to move away from the Emirates with Goal suggesting that a move to Atletico Madrid will go through. 

The report says that Torreira and Atleti have apparently reached a ‘total agreement’ over his move, with the midfielder keen to join the La Liga side.

The deal is for a reported season long-loan move with the transfer set to be made permanent next summer.

However, Atletico are now apparently stalling over completing the deal.

Diego Simeone’s side are said to want to offload a player first before they bring in Torreira to ensure that they don’t go over their wage budget.

Atleti are keen to listen to offers for Hector Herrera, but they have not been forthcoming so far, leaving Torreira waiting.

Will this transfer go ahead before the deadline runs out?