It is transfer deadline day and Mikel Arteta remains busy in the market as Arsenal look to sell any deadwood and further improve the Spaniard’s side with last-gasp signings.
The Gunners have enjoyed a mega-money window so far this summer after acquiring Declan Rice in a club-record transfer. Kai Havertz also switched between London rivals after quitting Chelsea for Arsenal. David Raya, too, crept across the capital in an initial loan from Brentford.
Arguably, Arsenal have already lost one of their more important summer signings for most of the season. Arteta will be without Jurrien Timber following his ACL injury until deep into the 2023/24 campaign. He had quickly gained a vital role at Emirates Stadium with his versatility.
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Sporting director Edu has struggled to sell most of the deadwood in Arsenal’s dressing room, though. The Gunners have bid farewell to a number of senior players, including Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun. But many players with no futures under Arteta are still in north London.
So, with deadline day now underway, Arsenal Insider has taken a look into the potential last-ditch deals that Arteta may target and the players who might leave Emirates Stadium before the transfer market slams shut. The sales end to English sides at 23:00 BST on September 1.
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Arsenal’s potential transfer deadline day signings
Arsenal remain in the market for last-ditch signings on deadline day should Edu raise enough funds with their outbound transfers. The Gunners bet big to acquire Rice and Havertz. While Brentford agreed to loan Raya with an option to buy to defer the goalkeeper’s fee until 2024.
But Timber’s injury could force Arteta to spend again having relied on the Dutchman to add depth at right-back, centre-half and left-back. Takehiro Tomiyasu got the 22-year-old’s spot at first. But Arsenal have shown interest in possible alternatives who can also add versatility.
So, who could Arsenal target on deadline day if Edu raises enough funds to explore last-gasp transfers? Well, Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters is on Arsenal’s radar for a cut-price late transfer after the Saints’ relegation, per the Express. He can feature as a left or a right-back.
While Ben Jacobs has even suggested the Tottenham Hotspur product is open to moving to Emirates Stadium if he gets game time. Benfica defender Alexander Bah is another deadline day target of Arsenal and West Ham, per Tipsbladet. But he may cost €30-35m (£26-30m).
Attacking options are also on the cards as Football Transfers credits Arsenal with an interest in signing Evan Ferguson from Brighton & Hove Albion. But the Seagulls want £100m for the 18-year-old with six caps with the Republic of Ireland and 11 career senior club-level goals.
Seven players who could still leave Emirates Stadium
It is unlikely that Arsenal make a big splash on deadline day and target transfers for the likes of Ferguson. But Edu remains hard at work trying to clear the deadwood from Arteta’s team. Arsenal still have many players with no futures in north London and in need of moves away.
A deadline day departure from Emirates Stadium is beyond unlikely for Gabriel Magalhaes, though. Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal would even reject offers worth €200m (£170m) for the defender. He has interest from Real Madrid and Saudi Arabian sides, per the Daily Mail.
Teams in Saudi Arabia could threaten Arsenal’s resolve with their transfer deadline day not until September 20. But the window closes at 23:00 BST on September 1 to Premier League and La Liga teams. It ends at 17:00 BST to Bundesliga clubs and 19:00 BST to Serie A sides.
Ligue 1 sides have until 22:00 BST on September 1 to conclude their business. That may also come into effect for Arsenal as AS Monaco are targeting a transfer for Albert Sambi Lokonga, per football.london. While Romano has linked the Belgian with a potential move to Brighton.
Further outings should follow for the likes of Rob Holding and Cedric Soares with neither in Arteta’s plans. While Nicolas Pepe has had an agreement to join Besiktas since the start of August, per Fanatik. But the Super Lig giants want Arsenal to let him leave in a free transfer.
The Daily Mail also reports that Nottingham Forest have revived their interest in the transfer of Nuno Tavares. City Ground chiefs had backed away to tempt Aston Villa to target a deal in recent weeks. But the Reds are hopeful of securing an initial loan with an option to buy him.