Outgoings – five
Arsenal have already begun clearing out the dead wood in their squad, approving the permanent departures of Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Bernd Leno, while Arthur Okonkwo, Nuno Tavares and Folarin Balogun have moved out on loan.
But there is a consensus within the club that Edu Gaspar still has some players on big wages to move on before the deadline passes. Notably, the club’s record signing and £72m flop Nicolas Pepe is most likely to secure his exit from the Emirates Stadium, with interest from Sevilla, Napoli and Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.
Out-of-favour Spain international Hector Bellerin is yearning for a return to Real Betis after spending last season on loan with the Spanish outfit, although there has been no progress on a fee being agreed.
One of Arteta’s signings for the future, Albert Sambi Lokonga, has been linked with AC Milan after struggling for game time and the Belgian could be tempted if Arsenal move for Tonali. Similarly, Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have barely been used by Arteta and look set to move on, with Premier League clubs queuing up to sign the pair.