Arsenal Transfer Roundup: All the Latest Gossip Ahead of Season Start

Remarkably, despite being mooted for a major clear out, nobody has left Arsenal this window for a fee.

‘Yet’ needs to be thrown in there for good measure, but it’s at a point where there is no time to waste if Arsenal are to secure the signings they want with enough time spare to fully embed them into the side and hit the ground running.

It should go without saying that the latest news from the rumour mill is just that: rumours. Some may come to fruition while other may not, with below acting simply as an updated roundup of what the latest is.

Let’s get stuck in.

Lucas Torreira

As one of the few ‘expendable’ players in Mikel Arteta‘s squad, speculation linking Lucas Torreira with a return to Italy have been around for roughly 18 months of his two-year stay in north London.

Given the length of contract he has left, his age, and his obvious ability, Arsenal could be set to shift the Uruguayan in order to raise crucial funding.

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The two sides most heavily linked with the 24-year-old have been Torino and Fiorentina, although it appears as if the latter have dropped out of the race. Italian publication La Stampa (via Tutto Mercato Web) have claimed that an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for €25m is under discussion.

However, the sticking point centres around his current Arsenal wages. As is, the midfielder earns a salary of €3.6m, but Torino don’t want to pay him above €1.8m. Due to that, the Gunners may subsidise some of his wages for the move to go ahead.

Matteo Pedrosi adds that Fiorentina have now fully dropped out and Torino remain the frontrunners.

Hector Bellerin

An interesting turn in this saga leans heavily towards Hector Bellerin remaining at Arsenal beyond this summer. Talks had began with Paris Saint-Germain about a potential deal, but although both clubs’ valuation were some way apart, there was confidence an amicable solution could have been met.

This no longer appears to be the case, as Fabrizio Romano has revealed that PSG are set to sign another right-back, Alessandro Florenzi, making a move for the Spaniard dead in the water.

The French side did come in with an offer to take Bellerin on loan, but with Arteta happy to keep the full-back and only sell if their £35m valuation was met, he looks set to stay.

Alexandre Lacazette

https://twitter.com/PainInThArsenal/status/1304058434669682692

The Frenchman, who was featured heavily on the club’s recent promotion for the 2020/21 third kit, is aiming to join Atletico Madrid “as soon as possible”, claims Spanish outlet AS.

Lacazette famously joined Arsenal despite a move to Los Rojiblancos being all-but tied up. The Spanish side were hit with a transfer ban as they closed in on the 29-year-old, leaving the Gunners with the opportunity to swoop in and secure his signature.

Atletico are in need of a new striker as their some of current options near an exit, and Diego Simeone is still thought to be highly interest in the former Lyon man. It’s stated any move won’t be easy, given he has two years left on his deal, but it’s his desire to play in La Liga.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos

The Greek defender is one of 600 central defenders currently at Arsenal, but seen as the number one option to shift this window. With so many others injured and harder to move on, it appears as if the 32-year-old could be on the way out.

Talk of a move to Napoli has dried up of late, although the centre-back was a notable absentee from the recent batch of training videos uploaded by Arsenal.

Whether that is an indication of him departing or simply due to any other number of reasons is not known.

Emiliano Martinez

Emiliano Martinez wants to play first team football. The question is, will that be at Arsenal? Having shown the world what he’s capable of last season, it’s little wonder that this is his wish, while it is also no surprise that other clubs are interested.

Those to show their hand the firmest are Aston Villa, who The Athletic revealed have submitted a bid thought to be just shy of £20m the club value him at.

It will be interesting to see much the Gunners can raise from Martinez, or in fact if they would like to part with the 28-year-old at all. It could likely come down to whether he starts matches next season.

He is one of the few in the squad who can accrue a decent fee, although third-choice keeper Matt Macey has stated it’s time for him to leave Arsenal, in an interview with the Telegraph, so maybe Arteta could be anywhere between needing two goalkeepers, or none.

Matteo Guendouzi

https://twitter.com/MatteoGuendouzi/status/1303309049849679872

Guess who is back in first team training? That’s right, outcast Matteo Guendouzi is back among the senior squad and in practice, something that has fans divided. On one hand, some expect him to come back into the fold, while other envisage it being a ploy from Arteta to encourage bidders.

Speaking of bidders, it appears as if PSG want to bring the Frenchman back to Paris. RMC Sport claim that Guendouzi would like to return to the club, and has already held meetings to discuss a transfer. To soften their outlay, PSG are willing to include Julian Draxler in any deal, although the German does not want to leave the club. Complicated, right?

A loan with an option to buy has also been mooted from the Ligue 1 champions, but PSG need to sell players before can buy – yet are keen to bolster their midfield. Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested.

L’Equipe add that while Arsenal initially hoped to receive €35m for Guendouzi, they may have to lower their asking price.

Houssem Aouar

The name on everyone’s lips right now, Houssem Aouar simply can’t avoid being linked with Arsenal, it seems, with every passing hour. What will work in the Gunners’ favour (and all the other clubs linked with a move) is that L’Equipe (via GFFN) have stated the player actively wants to leave Lyon this window.

Arteta sees the midfielder as a “top player” and a cash bid plus Guendouzi has already been turned down, but with Les Gones now aware of their player’s desire, they could be forced to sell.

Regardless, they won’t accept less than €60m up front – no swap deals – given that Aouar still has three years left to run on his current contract.

For Arsenal, it’s well known that they need to sell before they buy, hence why the departure of Torreria could be sped up in order to provide the necessary funds. Technical director Edu has been in contact with Lyon’s sporting director (and the greatest free-kick taker of all time), Juninho Pernambucano, to discuss a move.

Thomas Partey

Linked with a move to the Emirates for what feels like an eternity, the case has gone a touch cold of late.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the Gunners are still the “main candidates” to sign Thomas Partey, although they, once again, need to raise money or their pursuit is worthless.

Partey’s release clause sits at a cool £45m, but the midfielder will not force a move away from Atletico. He is said to be interested in moving to the Premier League, but he will not hand in a transfer request to facilitate an exit.

Atletico would like replace him with Espanyol’s Marc Roca, a player who cost then £35m, therefore they do not want to sell below his release clause and have no spare cash in reserve.