Arsenal transfer news: Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey latest, David Raya eyed as Emi Martinez replacement plus Premier League updates
The Gunners remain busy in the market at the Premier League season begins
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Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign but they also remain active in the transfer market with Mikel Arteta eager to add reinforcements and build on his incredible momentum.
Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is the most eye-catching arrival so far joining from Lille in a £27million deal. Fellow countryman Willian has joined him too with Dani Ceballos returning on a second season-long loan from Real Madrid.
Arteta is keen for more new faces as he continues to build a new squad, however. A new midfielder is a priority with Houssem Aouar of Lyon and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey the primary options. Any further spend is likely to require sales though with right-back Hector Bellerin the likeliest to leave. PSG were interested in a loan but have moved on with the Gunners only after a permanent sale. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will leave, however, with Aston Villa set to seal a deal for him to be their new No 1. Sokratis and Lucas Torreira have both been linked with Serie A and are expected to leave before the deadline. We will have all of the latest for you throughout the day:
BARCELONA WIJNALDUM INTEREST DISMISSED
Liverpool have been linked with Thiago, while Barcelona wanted their midfielder Gini Wijnaldum - those are the reports we’ve been reading for weeks.
Now OK Diario in Spain says the complete opposite: Barca want Thiago instead and never had interest in Wijnaldum.
As such, they’re “relieved” that talks between the Dutch midfielder and Jurgen Klopp went well, meaning he’ll stay for another season.
Bit of a pushing-match pre-game for Arsenal today, with subs Ceballos and Nketiah clashing in the warm-up.
Didn’t look particularly pretty from the Spanish midfielder, it must be said.
LIVERPOOL SET TO SIGN BRAZILIAN KEEPER
Liverpool already have one in Alisson Becker, but a second Brazilian goalkeeper could be on the way.
Globe Esporte say the Reds have agreed a fee of around €2 million including add-ons for 17-year-old stopper Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense.
A German passport means he’s not in need of a work permit and the Reds will add him to their Academy teams.
OZIL ABSENCE RAISES QUESTIONS
Mesut Ozil is another who wasn’t involved in the opening-day win for Arsenal.
Earlier in the week he claimed he was fit and ready to play, so his absence is certain to generate further speculation that Arsenal want to offload him.
The German playmaker has a year left on his big contract, but it’s hard to see him fitting into the 3-4-3 Mikel Arteta has used.
Arteta isn’t commenting on specific individuals but the message is clear: he can’t just walk into the team if he stays.
“Some of them are complicated and obviously, clubs come to us and they are interested in our players. It is very difficult to promise players game time or to be the first choice."
SOLSKJAER STILL HOPING FOR MORE ADDITIONS
Manchester United have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, bringing in only Donny van de Beek so far.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told MUTV he still hopes for more action before the market ends.
“We’re always looking to improve the squad, scouting players and, if something fits, both the financial bit and the football bit, of course we’ll try to make some business."
United have been suggested as wanting a left-back and a winger before October.
MARTINEZ WANTS ARSENAL PAY-OFF
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez didn’t play today in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham and he looks close to an exit, with Aston Villa particularly keen.
But before he leaves, the Argentinian wants a “seven-figure bonus” from Arsenal which he believes he’s owed, due to Arsenal promising a new contract which is back-paid to when talks were first halted pre-coronavirus.
The Athletic report that Brighton have not made a formal bid to challenge for his signature, while Arsenal could move for David Raya.
LAMPARD WANTS TO KEEP KANTE
Frank Lampard wants to keep N’Golo Kante amid interest from Inter Milan - who reportedly made an offer including Marcelo Brozovic plus cash.
But the Blues boss is adamant the French midfielder is part of his plans: “He looks really fit and fresh at the moment. So no he’s a big deal for me and of course I want to Keep N’Golo.
“I think pretty much every club in the world would want N’Golo Kanté. I certainly don’t want to lose him, no, he’s fundamental to what I’m trying to do.”
LAMPARD WANTS HUDSON-ODOI POTENTIAL REALISED
Frank Lampard said back in July that he is keen to see Callum Hudson-Odoi fulfil his potential, amid speculation today that he could be loaned.
That seems unlikely, given Hakim Ziyech’s injury and the departures of Willian and Pedro, the teenager will surely start vs Brighton on Monday.
"He needs to keep training at the highest level, which I have seen him do particularly in the last week or 10 days," Lampard said.
"In the last two games, he's come on and made good impacts and that's the way he needs to continue as a young player with great talent and great potential.
"I want to see that potential come through."
NO OFFERS FOR WANTAWAY ZAHA
Wilf Zaha has asked to leave Crystal Palace this summer, but there’s a problem: No takers have come asking for him.
The Evening Standard report manager Roy Hodgson being surprised that teams aren’t “knocking on the door” to sign the attacker, with plenty of names linked but no official bids as yet received.
Palace wanted £80m for Zaha last year and reportedly turned down a lesser bid from Everton for him, but so far the big bids have not materialised.
LAMPARD: MOUNT NOT UNSETTLED AFTER HAVERTZ SIGNING
Frank Lampard insists Kai Havertz’s arrival has not unsettled Mason Mount.
“I saw the story about Mason Mount, I know it was absolutely fabricated from somebody, particularly if it came from the German end,” said Lampard.
“I don’t know if he’s got any friends or relatives over there he would talk to, it’s a strange angle for that to come from Mason.”
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