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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
AOUAR INTEREST HOTS UP
Arsenal face competition from a Champions League club for Houssem Aouar.
The Lyon star would then need to decide whether he prefers to play for the Gunners in the Europa League or continue to play at the top level in Europe, according to the Telegraph.
The Gunners could lean on the relationship between Edu and compatriot Juninho.
ARTETA WANTS PARTEY OVER AOUAR IF ARSENAL CAN ONLY SIGN ONE
Mikel Arteta would prefer to sign Thomas Partey over Houssem Aouar if Arsenal are limited to just one big upgrade in midfield this summer.
Both have been heavily linked with moves to the Emirates this summer, but the Gunners have so far struggled to raise funds and clear room in the squad to step up their initial interest - despite a reported bid knocked back for Aouar.
While Atletico are holding firm on their stance that Partey will only release their player if his release clause is met - but The Athletic claim Arteta will move first for the Atletico star before hopefully acquiring Aouar too, should funds be available.
GUENDOUZI NOT EYEING ARSENAL EXIT
Despite rumours, Matteo Guendouzi has not handed in a transfer request at Arsenal – that’s according to Goal, anyway.
It was first thought that French publication L'Equipe shared the news about Guendouzi following the midfielder’s apparent falling out with coach Mikel Arteta.
But that idea has been played down by Goal’s Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts, who says L'Equipe were simply reacting to false rumours circulating on social media.
ARSENAL DEALT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BLOW
Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Houssem Aouar as they seek to raise the funds required to bring him to the Premier League.
According to The Telegraph, Aouar has been contacted by a club in the Champions League – something Arsenal cannot offer – who hope to secure a deal before the end of the window.
While the name of the Champions League side remains unknown the club has sounded out the 22-year-old to see if he would be interested in a move and are now preparing a late offer, with Lyon demanding a £54million asking price.
Juventus have been keeping tabs on the player and Bayern Munich could be in the market for a new midfielder after losing Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool.
Regardless Arsenal’s hopes of landing Aouar may be fading fast.
LEEDS MAKING MOVE FOR CHAMBERS?
Leeds United have turned their attention to signing Calum Chambers on a season -long loan deal from Arsenal.
It’s a move that’s been welcomed by former Aston Villa and Scotland full-back, Alan Hutton, who thinks it will fill the gap left by Ben White.
He told Fottball Insider:
“He’s got experience, he’s played in big games for a big club, had a lot of Premier League experience and maybe that’s something that they need – a calming voice to get his foot on the ball
“He can fill in at right-back, centre-half, he can do different roles so yeah, obviously losing White back to Brighton has not helped, I think he was one of their main players last season in the defence so to lose him was a huge blow.
“They’re still probably looking to fix that – I think Chambers coming in could help, whether he’s going to fix it on his own I’m not sure but he would definitely help.”
MORATA MOVE RUINS THE PARTEY
Arsenal will have to stump up a cool £46 million to activate the release clause for Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
However, the Italian side have recently sold Alvaro Morata to Juventus which makes them less likely to part company with Partey.
Fabrizio Romano said: “About Partey, [Arsenal] have to pay [the release] clause or nothing – Atletico Madrid have this mentality.
“So, if you want Atletico Madrid players, you have to pay the clause, and Partey’s [is] €50 million.
“So, at the moment, there are no negotiations because Atletico Madrid told Arsenal ‘if you want the player, you have to pay’.
“But I think after selling Morata to Juventus, Atletico Madrid won’t sell any other top player, so we have to see what will happen with Thomas.”
RUNARSSON INSPIRED BY ARSENAL GREATS
New goalkeeper signing Alex Runarsson says he wants to emulate the careers of David Seaman and Jens Lehmann and become a legend for the Gunners.
The Iceland goalkeeper completed his move to the Emirates on Monday, signing a four-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 25-year-old had spent two years at French side Dijon and will as back-up to first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Runarsson supported Arsenal growing up and wants to emulate childhood heroes Seaman and Lehmann.
He told Arsenal.com:
‘‘They are amazing – I remember watching Seaman play when I was a small kid, the same with Jens Lehmann,’Big characters, big personalities but also great goalkeepers. It is not easy to follow those guys but someone has to do it! ‘Football would be no fun without having this type of pressure so it will be a challenge but I am up for it.’
PREMIER LEAGUE APPEAL TO ALLOW FANS TO RETURN
The Premier League has appealed to the government to allow fans back into stadiums as soon as possible after Boris Johnson announced new restrictive measures today that could last up to six months.
MOYES TARGETS CHAMBERS
David Moyes’ West Ham have been desperately searching for a defender to bring in this summer. Their main target was James Tarkowski from Burnley but that ship seems to have sailed.
As does their interest in Arsenal’s Rob Holding but The Telegraph are reporting that West Ham are targeting another defender from the Emirares.
Calum Chambers has been capped by England and shown the versatility to play at centre-half and right-back, but the reported West Ham target has also been culpable in making costly mistakes in recent years.
The 25-year-old is unlikely to command a regular place in the Arsenal side this season and the Hammers could benefit by offering him regular football in East London.
The report suggests a potential loan deal could be on the cards, while a fee of £12 million is touted for a possible permanent transfer.
GUENDOUZI DOESN’T WANT TRANSFER
Matteo Guendouzi has not handed in a transfer request at Arsenal, at least according to Goal.
It was initially thought to have been reported by French outlet L'Equipe this morning that Guendouzi had formally asked to leave the club after falling out of favour with Mikel Arteta.
However, that has been denied by Goal's Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts, who claims L'Equipe were only reacting to untrue rumours on social media.
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