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:
MARSEILLE MOVE FOR MATTEO
Marseille have approached Arsenal about a potential loan move for Matteo Guendouzi according to French media outlet Foot Mercato.
The 21-year-old has fallen out of favour in Mikel Arteta’s side and Arsenal have been vocal in wanting to sell the player on this summer.
Foot Mercato report the Ligue 1 side recently made contact with the Gunners over a potential loan move. It is also claimed that the club have approached Guendouzi’s representatives to express their interest.
Of course, the Gunners would surely prefer to sell him permanently, however with the deadline looming it would make sense if they listened to loan offers at this stage.
SALES COULD FUND AOUAR MOVE
Lucas Torreira's agent is in Madrid making a possible move to Atletico look more likely for the 24-year-old midfielder.
Fabrizio Romano says that talks are ongoing between the two clubs with Arsenal asking for a £20-22 million asking price.
In addition, the club are also expected to pick up around £10m by selling Sead Kolasinac to Bayer Leverkusen with the deal expected to go through in the next 48 hours.
If Arsenal can get these deals over the line, they would be a great deal closer to meeting Lyon’s asking price for Houssem Aouar.
It could be a busy end to the transfer window for the Gunners.
JORGINHO HAPPY AT CHELSEA
Sky Sports reported last week that the Gunners could make a move for Chelsea’s Jorginho if they fail to land either Thomas Partey or Houssem Aouar.
But, Jorginho’s agant, Joao Santos, has spoken about the rumours and he says that the 28-year-old is happy at Stamford Bridge.
He told 90min:
“Jorginho still has a three-year contract with Chelsea, this plus two. I feel a lot of talk about Arsenal and PSG in the last few days, but the reality is that up to now, no official offer has arrived for the player.
“The transfer market closes on 5 October, but the more time passes the more difficult it becomes to make such an important operation. So at the moment, I can say that it is just rumours. He is happy at Chelsea”
LYON NAME AOUAR PRICE
Lyon want a fee of £55 million for midfielder Houssem Aouar but are willing to accept a deal for $41 million up front with potential add-ons, according to ESPN.
Arsenal originally bid £27.5 million for the 22-year-old but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was unimpressed with the offer and rejected it.
He told Le Progres: “If Pepe is worth the price that they paid for him (£72 million), then Houssem, who is an international player, is worth more than €30m.”
AINSLEY STAYING AT ARSENAL
The Manchester Evening News are playing down reports saying that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a target for Manchester United.
They’re reporting that there are no legs to the Maitland-Niles rumour as Porto’s Alex Telles is United's main target in terms of full-backs, and that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to bring in as many as three players before Monday's transfer deadline.
MADRID BRUSH OFF INTEREST IN YOUNGSTER
Arsenal were keen to sign Real Madrid’s 19-year-old star Cesar Gelabert having enquired about the player as far back as April.
The Gunners renewed their interest in the player this summer but Real Madrid shut down any talk of a possible move.
AG Deportes claim that the Premier League club expressed an interest in signing the attacking midfielder, but neither the player nor Madrid were interested in a move.
MAITLAND-NILES TO MAN UTD?
Sport1, via the Daily Express, are reporting that Man Utd are very close to completing a surprise signing of Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The 23-year-old was close to joining Wolves earlier in the transfer window and Arsenal are desperate to raise cash to add players to their squad before the deadline.
Sport1 claim United are 80 percent of the way to completing a deal for Maitland-Niles and that the transfer will be announced in the next few days.
The deal is reportedly worth £20 million plus add-ons for the 23-year-old.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN INTEREST INTENSIFIES
German club, Bayer Levekusen, are interested in signing Sead Kolasinac from Arsenal with a deal reported to be completed in the next 48 hours.
Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, says the deal has been agreed for €11 million plus add ons and will be completed later this week.
TORREIRA FOR DIAWARA?
According to Italian publication Il Messaggero, as cited in the Daily Star, Amadou Diawara has become a late alternative for Thomas Partey for Arsenal.
The report says that the Gunners are considering a swap deal for the 23-year-old which would see Lucas Torreira head to Roma with Diawara come to London.
Roma would reportedly want around £19m for the midfielder - which would be reduced further with Torreira thrown into the bargain.
LYON LINE UP AOUAR REPLACEMENT
Lyon are putting together a bid for AC Milan’s Lucas Paqueta as they appear to be readying themselves for the loss of Houssem Aouar.
According to L’Equipe, Lyon are ready to offer £16.3 million for the midfielder who hasn’t started for Milan since July 12th.
The signing of Paqueta could make a move to Arsenal for Aouar more likely.
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