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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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:
KOLASINAC DEAL ‘A LONG WAY OFF'
Bayer Leverkusen are still some way off agreeing a deal with Arsenal over a move for Sead Kolasinac.
Reports had said that the clubs had reached an agreement for an initial €11m fee but according to German outlet, Sportbuzzer the two clubs are still a long way off.
No medical has been planned for the defender who has also been linked with a return to former club Schalke.
The Bosnia international is one of the players the north London club could look to sell to generate funds for the signing of primary target Houssem Aouar from Lyon this transfer window.
PEPE CAN THRIVE AT ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta has backed the £72 million signing to thrive at the Emirates for years to come:
Mikel Arteta: Nicolas Pepe can thrive at Arsenal for ‘years to come’
‘He is very settled here, he is liked by the boys, he is a really good character to have around’
GUENDOUZI DEAL ‘COMPLICATED'
Marseille have been in contact with Arsenal over a move for midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, but it is a ‘complicated operation’ to get done.
According to Telefoot Chaine, who back up claims that the Ligue 1 side are keen on the Arsenal outcast.
Telefoot say their sources have provided a ‘confirmation of contacts’ between Arsenal and Marseille about Guendouzi.
They state that the whole potential operation is ‘very complicated’ because Marseille want a loan, but the Gunners are determined to sell the former PSG midfielder.
NO MOVE FOR MAITLAND-NILES
Reports from Germany came out that Manchester United were 80% done with a deal for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
However, Goal report that both United and Arsenal have dismissed those reports as nothing but speculation.
The 23-year-old has been a key part of Arteta's squad this season so far, starting four of Arsenal's five games so far this season including the Community Shield win over Liverpool.
NO FEE AGREED FOR KOLASINAC... YET
Reports earlier today said that Bayer Leverkusen had agreed a price to bring Sead Kolasinac to Germany in the region of £9 million.
The deal was said to be completed in the next 48 hours, which may still happen, but The Sun are saying that the deal isn’t as close as initially thought.
The sale could have a huge knock-on effect to other business for Arsenal, with it believed the money recouped from the left-back's exit being crucial to claiming Houssem Aouar or Thomas Partey.
VAN DE BEEK WOULD HAVE SUITED ARSENAL
Former Arsenal striker, Ian Wright, says Donny van de Beek should have signed for the Gunners as he would have a better chance of playing in his preferred position.
Wright says Van de Beek should have signed for Arsenal over Man United
United are still hoping to add more faces this summer
LOAN PLANS FOR MIDFIELD DUO
Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe continue to be linked with loan moves away from the Emirates but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Nelson did not want to leave the club at the start of the summer but he has been left out of Mikel Arteta’s squad for the first three Premier League games of the season and is growing frustrated at his lack of opportunities.
Crystal Palace, Burnley and Brighton and Hove Albion have all been linked with the midfielder and a move may give him the chance to play regular football.
Meanwhile Emile Smith Rowe is due to return to training after a shoulder injury. Arteta is an admirer of the 20-year-old playmaker, who spent the second half of last season with Huddersfield Town.
The feeling is that, like Nelson, he will not get the regular game time he needs to develop and he has Fulham and Southampton among his admirers.
Discussing Smith Rowe late last season, Arteta said: "I am excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan.
"I think he's someone who can be pretty impressive. I'm pleased by what I've seen from him."
ARSENAL IN TALKS WITH DIAWARA’S AGENT
According to reports via The Sun, Arsenal are in talks with the agent of Amadou Diawara over a potential deal to sign the £27 million-rated AS Roma midfielder this summer.
The Sun cites a report from Il Messaggero that claims Arsenal have opened talks with Diawara’s agent Daniele Piraino.
The Italian paper says Tottenham have also enquired about the 23-year-old so Arsenal could face competition for the midfielder.
Piraino is quoted by The Sun as telling Tuttomercatoweb:
“It was a real displeasure for Amadou that the club forgot to list him in the squad [at Verona].
“The fact it’s been made out to be the ‘Diawara Incident’ is a shame, because he certainly didn’t appreciate that and the responsibility isn’t his own.
“He was happy with how his teammates played, but he was counting on playing from the beginning, above all because of what he does for the team and what he deserves.
"There’s just one week left in the transfer window. If the forgetfulness over listing the player in the squad sums up the club’s true choices, we have to bring this up with the club.
“We want clarity on Amadou’s true role and importance within the club’s project.”
LACAZETTE ENDS TRANSFER SPECULATION
Rumours arose about Alexandre Lacazette’s future at the Emirates with the striker being linked to move away from the club this summer.
Juventus were interested in the 29-year-old and there was talk of a £30 million move to Atletico Madrid back in August.
But, Lacazette has ended speculation over his future by saying he is happy at Arsenal and wants to stay at the club. He said:
“I'm really happy. It's only the press who say l am unhappy and l want to leave. But me, from the beginning, I have said I am happy with Arsenal and I want to play and win titles, we won a title last month, so I am happy with Arsenal.”
LAZIO STILL IN TALKS OVER MUSTAFI
Italian club, Lazio, are reportedly in deep negotiations with Shkodran Mustafi over a deal to bring the Arsenal defender to Italy.
The 28-year-old is not in the plans of Mikel Arteta, who has preferred options Gabriel Magalhaes, David Luiz, Rob Holding and William Saliba to count on.
Arsenal are prepared to allow Mustafi to depart if they receive a bid in the region of £13 million.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments