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
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Your support makes all the difference.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:
SPURS SUFFER SKRINIAR BLOW
Tottenham have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Internazionale defender Milan Skriniar after the Italian club’s sporting director Piero Ausilio stated that the defender was going nowhere this season.
Tottenham have been strongly linked with a move for the Slovakian defender this week, and it was reported that Spurs had even tabled a bid.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Ausilio said:
“We reiterated that Skriniar is not on the market and no offers have arrived in this sense," said Ausilio.
“Rather than reiterating that he will stay here I don’t know what to say.”
‘TOTAL AGREEMENT’ ON TORREIRA TO ATLETICO DEAL
There is 'total agreement between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid on the deal taking Lucas Torreira to Spain, reports Goal.
The two sides have been in talks for weeks over a deal, and it now seems that the deal is close to completion.
Goal states that the clubs have agreed upon a loan deal with an option to buy the Uruguayan midfielder next summer.
Fabrizio Romano previously stated that the Spanish side have to sell Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera before signing Torreira.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINE-UP AHEAD OF LIVERPOOL CLASH
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is expected to make wholesale changes to his starting XI ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool.
The two sides met in the league three days ago, with the champions emerging with a 3-1 win.
The majority of Arteta’s key players are expected to miss the clash, with the side filled with youngsters or players who haven’t received a lot of playing time.
Predicted Arsenal starting XI:
(3-4-3) Runarsson; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Cedric, Willock, Elneny, Saka; Pepe, Nketiah, Nelson.
WEST HAM DEAL FOR FIORENTINA DEFENDER BREAKS DOWN
West Ham’s approach for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic has broken down following a difference in the player’s valuation.
Talksport’s Jim White states that he spoke to West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan, who revealed that The Hammers made a bid for the Serbia international.
White states that Fiorentina demanded £25m plus an extra £10m in bonuses for Milenkovic, and the Premier League side immediately pulled the plug on any potential deal.
LILLE REJECT OFFER FOR ARSENAL TARGET
Lille president Gerard Lopez wants to sell Arsenal target Boubakary Soumare before the end of the transfer window, according to a report in Italy.
Calciomercato.it state that Lopez wants to offload the midfielder, and has already rejected Serie A side Napoli’s offer of a loan with an option to buy for €25m.
It’s believed Lopez would like a permanent deal.
Arsenal view Soumare as a cheaper alternative to Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side are refusing to negotiate for the midfielder and have told Arsenal to meet his buyout clause, set at €50m, if they want to sign him.
Milan are also interested in signing the 21-year-old, but if remains to be seen if the Serie A side can afford him, given their limited resources.
CARLTON COLE REVEALS ARSENAL MISS
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole has revealed that he almost joined Arsenal in the 2009/10 season.
Arsenal scout Giles Grimandi went to Upton Park to scout Cole in November 2009, in which he scored in a 5-3 win against Burnley, and Cole reflected on the situation for Talksport.
“I knew they were very interested in signing me for the 2010 season, when I was just on the cusp of the England team," Cole told Talksport.
“I think it was Grimandi that came to my box at Upton Park, we were playing Burnley.
“I got injured in that game and did my PCL, Grimandi was in there asking how long I was going to be out, because they wanted to sign a striker in that January window.
“I was out for about three months [which ended Arsenal’s interest], but I didn’t mind, I was fine at West Ham.
“It’s one of those things, and at the end of the day, I don’t know if I would’ve fit into their system because I wasn’t good enough!”
TORREIRA’S ATLETICO DEAL DEPENDENT ON DEPARTURE
Lucas Torreira’s move to Atletico Madrid is near to completion according to reports, but is dependent on the Spanish side selling Hector Herrera first.
Atletico have been locked in talks with Arsenal over the signing of Torreira for some time, and negotiations appear to be at an advanced stage, according to Fabrizio Romano.
However Romano also states that Atletico need to move Mexican midfielder Herrera on before being able to complete the signing of the Uruguayan.
However it remains to be seen at this stage if there are any takers for the former Porto midfielder, who has failed to convince Atletico coach Diego Simeone since arriving a year ago.
QPR CLOSING IN ON SIGNING OF FORMER ARSENAL YOUNGSTER
QPR are reportedly closing in on the signing of Chris Willock, a former Arsenal youth product.
Willock played in Arsenal’s youth academy before moving to Benfica three years ago.
Willock played on loan at Huddersfield Town and West Brom last season.
According to the Daily Mail, QPR have had a bid of £750,000 accepted by the Portuguese giants for Willock.
Now all that remains is for an agreement to be finalised between the club and player.
CLUBS SEEK LOAN MOVE FOR ARSENAL YOUNGSTER
Brighton, Southampton and Crystal Palace are all interested in taking Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson on loan.
Football.London reports that the Premier League trio have registered their interest in taking the highly-rated 20-year-old on loan for the season.
Nelson enjoyed a good season with Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim last season, making 24 appearances and scoring three times.
PEP RULES OUT FURTHER SIGNINGS
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has ruled out making any further signings following the capture of defender Ruben Dias from Benfica.
City signed Dias for a fee believed to be in the region of £62m plus bonuses.
Nathan Ake was also signed earlier in the window for £40m, as was winger Ferran Torres from Valencia.
“I think it will be over,” said Guardiola after their Carabao Cup win at Burnley on Wednesday.
“I don't know – maybe someone will want to leave. So we will see what happens until the end.”
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