23 August 2023 , 15:57
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Arsenal are working hard to allow at least seven first-team players to leave the Emirates before the end of the transfer window.
The Gunners have been busy so far this summer, with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and David Raya all arriving for a combined figure of around £200million. Mohammed Kudus has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, while Mikel Arteta could dip into the market for another defender.
As for departures, things haven't moved as fast, however. Granit Xhaka has joined Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could rise to £22m, while Matt Turner, Austin Trusty and Pablo Mari have also left on permanent deals. Alex Runarsson and Marquinhos have both been allowed to depart on loan.
Despite that, Football.London have reported that Arsenal are hoping to sanction at least seven more exits before the transfer window slams shut on September 1. The Gunners currently retain a bloated first-team squad of 32, which Arteta has already described as "unsustainable".
Due to this, there has been times where players have had to be left out due to the size of the dressing room. The Gunners are attempting to address the issue and are hoping to get rid of several first-team stars, although Arsenal are facing a race against time to ensure they get players out of the door.
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They have less than 10 days to get deals done, as the transfer window in England and in Europe's other top-five leagues will also close their market on the same date. Arsenal are keen to avoid a similar situation to Chelsea after the Blues struggled to contain the sheer amount of players at the club.
Finding exit routes for those not in Arteta's plans has proven to be tough so far. The Spaniard has continued to insist that Kieran Tierney is part of his plans, but it is thought Arsenal are open to offers for the left-back. Celtic have been linked with a return for the defender, while Aston Villa and Real Sociedad had been credited with an interest.
Kieran Tierney could leave Arsenal this summer (Getty Images)Albert Sambi Lokonga could also leave Arsenal this summer. Brighton are keen to take the midfielder on loan, but the Gunners would prefer to offload him on a permanent deal. Burnley's interest in the Belgian has cooled after they completed the signing of Aaron Ramsey from Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Rob Holding is another player Arsenal could offload after the defender was not named in the Gunners' first two Premier League matchday squads. The ex-Bolton defender has one year left on his contract and was subject to a £2m bid from Besiktas earlier in the window.
Besiktas are also keen to sign Holding's teammate Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian has 12 months left on his contract at the Emirates and spent last season on at Nice in France. The Turkish club are ready to bring in Pepe if they are able to sign the winger on a free transfer.
There has been no approaches for Cedric Soares, however, who has been working hard to get back fit. The Portuguese was on loan a Fulham for the second half of last season but has since returned to London Colney.
Nuno Tavares is someone Arsenal would like to get a fee from, meanwhile, after Nottingham Forest showed an interest in the 22-year-old. The Gunners' preference is to sell the left-back, with West Ham and Aston Villa also touting the Frenchman.
Having impressed on loan a Reims last term, Folarin Balogun has attracted attention from across Europe. Monaco are set to come in with a fresh offer to sign the talented United States international. Inter Milan and Brighton were amongst those linked with the forward earlier in the window.