A lot of transfer activity is expected at Arsenal on transfer deadline day but Mikel Arteta is expected to be busy with outgoings as opposed to more new signings.
Mikel Arteta has spent more than £200 million on transfer reinforcements this summer but trimming his squad will be the aim on transfer deadline day.
As the 11pm deadline approaches, the Spaniard has already sanctioned a number of exits, with Marquinhos, Kieran Tierney, and Runar Alex Runarsson all being shipped out on loan this month. And Nuno Tavares has now joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long deal, a deal confirmed by Steve Cooper’s club on Friday morning.
But Arteta isn’t done there, with five more senior players also in line to leave north London by the weekend. It follows a transfer window which saw Declan Rice arrive at the club from West Ham for a British record £105 million fee, which followed the £68 million capture of Kai Havertz from Arsenal.
Jurrien Timber also signed from Ajax for £38.3 million, whilst David Raya came on board from Brentford on a season-long loan. The Timber signing promptly turned sour after the ex-Ajax man suffered a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut for the club, but with his available funds seemingly spent Arteta has not moved to sign a replacement
Instead, he’s looking to get more stars off the wage bill with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo free to move on. The 21-year-old spent time on loan at both Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz last season, and is surplus to requirements after the purchase of Raya.
And Tavares isn’t the only defender set to leave either. According to Football London, both Rob Holding and Cedric Soares are due to leave, with Holding currently in talks with Crystal Palace.
Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga meanwhile, has been the subject of a loan offer from Luton. But the future of the club’s former record signing Pepe remains up ion the air.
Nuno Tavares has joined Nottingham Forest ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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The Ivory Coast international arrived in 2019 in an eye-catching £72 million deal, but has failed to justify to fee at the Emirates. He spent last season on loan with Nice, but the French club didn’t pursue an option for a permanent deal.
The winger has been linked with a host of moves this summer after being confined to training alone, with Arteta open to letting him leave. Significantly however, the player has been the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
The transfer window in Saudi does not close until September 20 while Super Lig clubs have eight days beyond that to complete deals. It means the 28-year-old could yet leave the club even if an exit doesn’t materialise on Friday.