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:
GUENDOUZI TURNS DOWN TRIO
Arsenal have been working hard to offload several players this summer, including midfielder Matteo Guendzoui.
He looks to have no future under Mikel Arteta, but where he does have a future remains to be seen.
ESPN report that he has turned down three different European sides already: Atalanta, Villarreal and Valencia. Lyon have also said they don’t want him.
Sevilla are reportedly another option, with Monchi a fan.
CONTE BACK IN FOR ANOTHER BLUE
Antonio Conte hasn’t been shy about bringing Premier League players to Inter Milan and rumours from Italy suggest another is on his wishlist.
Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso is once again the subject, with the left-back set to fall behind Ben Chilwell at Stamford Bridge.
Gianluca Di Marzio says Inter want to sell Dalbert to sign Alonso, who would then be in competition with Aleks Kolarov for the left-sided wing-back role.
LACAZETTE INTENDS TO STAY A GUNNER
Alexandre Lacazette says he has no intention of moving on from Arsenal this summer - and says he won’t be happy if the club have been touting him out.
Rumours have suggested he has been offered around as part of potential swap deals, but the striker told L’Equipe only Mikel Arteta’s thoughts matter.
“If this is true, no, it does not please me.
"But what matters is the choice of the coach, his confidence. He’s the one who makes the team, not the managers upstairs in the offices, and I know I have his confidence.”
EDU REITERATES ARSENAL TRANSFER STANCE
Edu has reiterated that he is now in charge of Arsenal’s transfers and that everything must go through him.
"It is important to be clear. What I would like from now is for everything related to football to come through me," Edu told the Gunners’ website.
"All the contacts, if agents want to talk to the player, internally, externally, outside people have to see me – and my name – as the first one to call or connect to.
"Of course we have a lot of people involved but I just want to be clear, people outside Arsenal have to understand who they need to connect to about football.
"It is important because sometimes they feel unclear about it. To be clear and open with you, that is how we are going to operate."
SPURS WANT MILIK WITH DEENEY AN OPTION
Spurs are keen on Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik, report Sky Sports.
But Troy Deeney remains an alternative and much more realistic option to bolster Jose Mourinho’s attack.
Napoli would want £32.5m to sell the Polish forward, a sum Spurs are unlikely to meet.
Watford could sell Deeney right up to 16 October, with West Brom also keen.
Giroud ‘surprised’ by transfer speculation
Olivier Giroud is “surprised” by transfer speculation linking the Chelsea striker to Juventus.
The former Arsenal star is behind Timo Werner in the pecking order with the Blues likely to prioritise Tammy Abraham’s future as well.
But the French forward will remain with the Blues it seems, telling Telefoot: "I was surprised to receive messages from friends this morning telling me about this rumour. That's far from the case; I am a Chelsea player.
"It's always good to get the attention of these kinds of clubs, it's flattering. But I remain focused on Chelsea"
ARTETA OPTIMISTIC ABOUT AUBAMEYANG
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says fans can be relaxed about captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future at the Emirates and stressed the club are still actively looking to strengthen the squad in the current transfer window.
Aubameyang, 31, has less than a year left on his current deal and Arsenal risk losing him for free at the end of the season but British media have reported that the Gabon international has agreed a new three-year deal with the club.
"I can say I am even more confident than I was at the end of last season," Arteta told a news conference on Friday. "Do I think it will be done soon? I am really optimistic, yes."
CHELSEA HAVE BID ACCEPTED FOR GOALKEEPER
Chelsea have had a bid accepted for Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy by Rennes, and the goalkeeper looks set to join the Blues over the coming days, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Personal terms have already been agreed and the 6ft 6in keeper will fly to London this weekend for a medical.
BARCELONA ASK FOR BELLERIN LOAN
With Mikel Arteta looking likely to keep Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Hector Bellerin could now be heading for the exit.
Barcelona are keen, with Nelson Semedo a possible sale for the Spanish giants.
The Blaugrana would ideally like to loan Bellerin - but could explore a swap deal if the Gunners refuse, claim Marca.
RAYA TO REPLACE MARTINEZ
Brentford’s David Raya is seen as Emi Martinez’s replacement at Arsenal.
90Min report the Bees shot-stopper is the first choice to come in and back up Bernd Leno.
A £20m move for Martinez is now likely after Mikel Arteta opted for the German as his first choice, with Aston Villa leading the chase.
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