Seven names on chopping block as Arsenal target three summer signings

Mohamed Elneny, David Luiz, Granit Xhaka Arsenal v Newcastle January 2021

Arsenal chief Edu is reportedly willing to sell up to seven players this summer to fund a trio of new signings at The Emirates.

The Gunners have had a terrible season domestically, with a mid-table finish in the Premier League on the cards. They also failed to reach the latter stages of the FA Cup or Carabao Cup. However, things have gone much better in Europe for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Arteta will lead Arsenal in the Europa League semis against Villarreal, with the first leg in Spain on Thursday.

Winning that tournament is the club’s best hope of earning a Champions League spot. Domestic rivals Manchester United and Roma will compete in the other semi.

Arteta added several new names to his squad last summer, with Thomas Partey, Willian and Gabriel all arriving.

However, more quality additions are needed if the Gunners are to start challenging for the top four again.

A report on football.london claims that at least four players will be sold in the upcoming transfer window. However, the report actually lists seven stars who could move on.

Academy graduates Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Eddie Nketiah could both exit the Emirates.

Maitland-Niles has spent the second half of this season on loan at West Brom, and Nketiah has struggled for game time in recent months under Arteta. A recent report suggests that the Gunners are after as much as £20m for each player.

Long-serving right-back Hector Bellerin will be allowed to leave if the right deal can be found. Barcelona have chased the Spain international for a number of seasons, but new suitors have since emerged.

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Four other players who are currently out on loan are also set to move on.

Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac are all set to leave on permanent deals.

Konstantinos Mavropanos, who is on loan at Stuttgart, will go either on loan again or depart on a permanent basis.

Experienced defender David Luiz is also likely to leave at the end of his contract this summer.


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Three positions in need of Arsenal upgrade

The Daily Express adds that Arteta and technical director Edu want to raise funds to strengthen at least three positions.

Current Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard is the top target in the search for a new playmaker.

Martin Odegaard Arsenal frustration

The report adds that Arteta also wants to bolster his options behind Kieran Tierney at left-back.

Right-back is another area which will be targeted, with Bellerin, Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers all failing to fully impress this term.

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham recently revealed the financial troubles the club have faced since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In turn, he highlighted how important it is to raise funds through sales before making any new additions.

“I will say for the record KSE have refinanced our stadium debt to effectively £200m,” Venkatesham said at a Fans’ Forum last week.

“We’re going to lose well over £100million this year and it’s KSE standing behind that.

“Whatever we do in this transfer window it’s KSE standing behind that.”

One things is for sure Edu, and Arsenal, are in for a busy summer ahead as the squad rebuild begins.

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