Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Thomas Partey, Houssem Aouar, Alexandre Lacazette and more - plus Premier League updates
The Gunners remain perfect to start the season after victory over West Ham and now look to strengthen further in the transfer market
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Mikel Arteta remains perfect this season, as Arsenal defeated West Ham to make it two wins from two, but attention turns to the transfer market where he is eager to strengthen further.
Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar remain priorities, but the Gunners may need to sell or get creative to land their first choice players, who will come at a premium.
There is also plenty of dead wood in the eyes of the Spaniard to cut down on as he streamlines his squad ahead of what promises to be an exciting season for the Gunners.
PERSONAL TERMS AGREED WITH AOUAR
Italian journalist Nicolo Schira claims the Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with Houssem Aouar over a five-year contract but the club have yet to agree a deal with Lyon.
The initial approach from the Gunners was for £31.4 million plus Matteo Guendouzi in exchange for Aouar but that offer was rejected.
Lyon say they aren’t interested in signing Guendouzi and they value Aouar at £54 million.
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal are preparing an improved bid for the midfielder but are hoping to strike a deal below the asking price as they feel Lyon need to offload players after missing out on European qualification.
If Schira is to be believed then the price is all that stands in the way of Aouar becoming Arsenal’s seventh signing of the summer after the Gunners have brought inWillian, Gabriel, Dani Ceballos [loan], Alex Runarsson, Cedric Soares and Pabli Mari.
NELSON AVAILABLE FOR LOAN
According to reports, Arsenal have made Reiss Nelson available on loan.
The 20-year-old has not yet featured for Arsenal this season and has been left out of Mikel Arteta’s matchday squads for the Premier League wins over Fulham and West Ham.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal will allow Nelson to leave on a temporary deal in order to secure more playing time this season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: "I think they all realise the competition we have in forward positions,
"I’ve already spoken with Reiss about it and I really like the way he’s training.
"I think we both agree about how much he’s improved in the last few months and he’s going to carry on pushing himself and the rest of the team.
“He needs to be ready because in football, unfortunately, or fortunately, things don’t take three months to change, it can take three minutes and you have to be ready when that opportunity comes.”
Nelson is expected to make his first appearance of the season on Wednesday evening as Arsenal face Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
COUTINHO TO ARSENAL?
Here’s a new one. Football.London are talking about a possible move to the Emirates for Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho.
Kia Joorabchian is Coutinho’s agent and he has a close relationship with Arsenal having already secured moves for some of his other clients, Willian and Cedric, to the London club.
Ronald Koeman is building a new look squad at Barcelona which has seen some big names, including Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and most recently Nelson Semedo, leave this summer.
Coutinho spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona could be looking to get him off the books.
The former Liverpool player joined Barca for a nine-figure fee back in January 2018, but the fees discussed in relation to a Camp Nou exit have been substantially lower.
Could we see him back in the Premier League this season? It seems like a long shot but maybe.
NO POSITIVE COVID TESTS FOR GUNNERS
Arsenal returned no positive tests for coronavirus after the players were tested following the match against West Ham on Saturday.
There were worries that the players may have caught coronavirus after three Hammers including David Moyes tested positive for the virus.
West Ham manager David Moyes tests positive for coronavirus alongside players Issa Diop and Josh Cullen
Trio left London Stadium at once as rest of squad and coaching staff went ahead with Carabao Cup tie against Hull
TORINO NOT GIVING UP ON TORREIRA
Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has claimed on his website that Serie A side Torino have sent representatives to London in order to iron out a move for Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira.
ESPN Uruguay are reporting that the 24-year-old has rejected offers from both Fiorentina and Torino as he is holding out for a deal from Atletico Madrid.
But, Torino are confident they con convince the midfielder to join them in Italy even though he has three years left on his Arsenal contract.
Arsenal are trying to work Torreira into a deal for Atletico’s Thomas Partey but if Torino stump up the right amount of cash, the Gunners would consider the move.
TORREIRA COULD BRING PARTEY TO EMIRATES
Arsenal are planning to use Lucas Torreira to tempt Atletico Madrid to allow Thomas Partey to leave this summer.
According to Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are still working on a deal to sign Partey before the window closes.
The report goes on to say that Diego Simeone is also eager to sign Torreira who is attracting interest from some clubs in the Serie A.
However, Atletico don’t want to include Partey in any deal for Torreira which is a stance that Arsenal want to change.
The La Liga side are still looking to secure a €50m transfer fee for Partey despite Arsenal’s reluctance to meet his contract release clause, and they hope including Torreira in a deal may reduce the price.
The report suggests that Arsenal could mirror Atletico Madrid’s hardline approach when it comes to negotiating a deal with the Spanish side to sell Torreira.
McGUINNESS JOINS IPSWICH
Mark McGuinness has joined Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
The 19-year-old defender signed his first professional deal last year.
Now the Gunners will hope the Irish youth international will take a big step on loan in League One.
SALIBA SET FOR ARSENAL DEBUT
William Saliba is finally set to make his Arsenal debut in the Carabao Cup this evening, having been left out of Mikel Arteta’s first two squads.
The defender, who spent last season on loan at St Etienne, having been signed for around £27m by Arsenal, is considered one of France’s brightest talents.
"I think William is doing really well," Arteta said. "He is adapting to the country, adapting to our club. We have to bear in mind that he had a really challenging season last year with the amount of injuries that he had.
"But he is a player that is going to be really important in our future, things sometimes take some time and we have to respect that."
LEEDS AGREE LLORENTE DEAL
Leeds United have reached an agreement to sign Spanish defender Diego Llorente from Real Sociedad, the La Liga club have said.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed but British media reported Leeds would shell out up to 20 million pounds ($25.44 million) for the 27-year-old centre back.
"Real Sociedad and Leeds United have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Diego Llorente. The final agreement is subject to the player's medical test," the club said in a statement.
"Real Sociedad wants to express its thanks and affection towards Diego for the three years he has been part of our club and wishes him all the best in this new chapter of his career."
ARSENAL LAUNCH NEW AOUAR BID
Arsenal will launch a new bid for Houssem Aouar, claim Le 10 Sport.
OL rejected the Gunners’ first offer, but now a fresh bid is being readied according to the report.
Mikel Arteta has long-since tracked the French midfielder, but Arsenal still need to raise funds elsewhere with unwanted squad players being pushed to the exit to boost their net spend.
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