As expected Arsenal decided against adding to their squad on transfer deadline day, as Unai Emery finalises his preparations for the new Premier League season.
There was no late deal for Croatia international Domagoj Vida, while earlier in the day Ousmane Dembele laughed off speculation he could quit Barcelona for London.
It was a busier day in terms of outgoings, with 29-year-old forward Lucas Pérez ending his two year association with the club with a cut-price deal to West Ham.
And the likes of David Ospina, Joel Campbell and Danny Welbeck could yet move abroad. Here’s a full round-up of Arsenal’s day.
Live Updates
17:24
The Telegraph are reporting that Newcastle expressed an interest in signing Danny Welbeck very late into the window, although clearly no move was completed.
Which rather begs the question: why did they leave it so late?
Welbeck could still move overseas of course, or he’ll likely spend the next few months playing fighting Alexandre Lacazette for a spot on Unai Emery’s bench.
17:07
Arsenal transfer window round-up:
IN:
Stephan Lichtsteiner, Juventus, Free
Bernd Leno, Bayer Leverkusen, £19.2m
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Borussia Dortmund, £14.8m
Lucas Torreira, Sampdoria, £26.4m
Mattéo Guendouzi, Lorient, £7m
OUT:
Per Mertesacker, retired
Santi Cazorla, Villarreal, Free
Santi Cazorla, Villarreal, Free
Jack Wilshere, West Ham, Free
Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Angers, £1.5m
Chuba Akpom, PAOK, £2m
Lucas Pérez, West Ham, £4m
16:58
Joel Campbell has been handed the #35 shirt for the coming season.
He's still at Arsenal, as is goalkeeper David Ospina, who has been in talks with Besiktas.
But remember: both players can move even after this evening's transfer deadline, as European clubs are still able to buy players.
16:53
The Arsenal Twitter account has gone very quiet with just five minutes of the window remaining...
16:36
Half an hour remaining of this damp squib of a transfer deadline day, and former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise has just had a pop at Unai Emery on talkSPORT.
Arsenal have recruited well this summer, spending within their means and addressing a series of problem positions. And yet Wise thinks they look dangerously short at the back.
“The defenders that he’s brought in, I think that was a key part of where Arsenal struggled,” he said.
“I think they conceded 51 goals which was quite high for Arsenal. But what they haven’t added is pace.
“Sokratis is not for me. I watched him play against Chelsea and he got dominated and he lacked a lot of pace.
“Lichtsteiner is obviously 34 years old, hasn’t got a lot of pace and they haven’t added that.
“So, therefore, I think they’re going to struggle.
“I look at the personnel that they’ve brought in and the position they ended up, sixth last year, and that’s where I see Arsenal.
“I don’t see that they’ve improved loads. My concern is their defence still.
“He hasn’t convinced me with who he’s brought in.”
16:11
Perhaps there will be some late movement after all.
Sky Sports News are reporting that David Ospina has agreed personal terms with Besiktas.
Will it be a permanent move or loan?
16:01
We're into the final hour of the 2018 summer transfer window!
15:37
Further confirmation that David Ospina isn’t going anywhere just yet…
The goalkeeper can be spotted 38-seconds of the way through the above clip, as Arsenal prepare for this weekend’s visit of Manchester City.
And it look as though he could do with a bit longer on the training field ahead of the new season. He can be seen making a right hash of a routine Shkodran Mustafi back-pass.
15:01
Some good news ahead of this weekend’s match against Manchester City: Aaron Ramsey has today returned to full training.
The midfielder has been dragging his heels over signing a contract extension leading to several rumours he could join Chelsea ahead of the new campaign.
But no such deal has materialised and Ramsey will likely be available for selection from next week.
14:50
As expected, it has been a quiet day so far at The Emirates Stadium...
Here's why that's a very positive sign for Arsenal ahead of the new season.
14:15
Surely not...
14:13
Some news on David Ospina, who has been repeatedly been linked with a move away from Arsenal since the signing of Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen.
There have been a number of reports in Turkey today that Besiktas are close to capturing the keeper on loan, although The Independent understands Arsenal are more interested in a permanent deal for the 29-year-old.
The Italian dailies meanwhile suggest that Napoli are also interested in Ospina, although like Besiktas, they favour a loan.
The transfer window will of course remain open for European teams, so expect this one to run for a few days yet.
13:36
If you're on your lunch break, now might be a good time to read our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney on what Stan Kroenke's impending takeover could mean for Arsenal's future:
12:55
Arsenal have been actively exploring the possibility of signing Domagoj Vida from Besiktas before the end of the transfer window, but the chances of that move being pushed through ahead of this evening’s deadline currently look slim.
Croatian defender Vida, 29, enjoyed a superb World Cup campaign which increased speculation he could leave the Turkish club in a big money move this summer.
Arsenal were quoted £30m by Besiktas for Vida, but the late deal was always dependent on how much money the club could make from outgoings.
So for Arsenal have made just £8.5m this summer through the sales of Lucas Pérez, Chuba Akpom and Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, and with late deals for Danny Welbeck and Joel Campbell having so far failed to materialise, the Vida transfer has very much been put on ice.
12:39
West Ham director of football Mario Husillos has elaborated on why the club decided to sign Lucas Pérez from Arsenal.
“He [Perez] is a very experienced player that Manuel and I both know well from Spain,” Husillos said.
“He has great technical quality, and can play as both the main striker or the second striker in a deeper role. He scores goals, but can also create them and link well with the midfielders.
“His style is different from the other strikers we have available to us, and that gives the manager more options for our attacking play.
“Lucas also has experience of the Premier League with Arsenal, and is familiar with life here in London, which of course means that he will take less time to adapt and be ready.
“From the very first meeting I had with Lucas, he made it very clear that he wanted to come to West Ham United and, for us, this is very important. We wish him every success during his time here.”
12:11
This has been a very positive transfer window for Arsenal, with a number of problem positions finally addressed by Sven Mislintat and co, but news of the impending Stan Kroenke takeover has rather soured the mood at the club ahead of the new season.
Here’s something on why Arsenal should try their hardest to retain that feeling of positivity ahead of their opening match of the 2018/19 campaign, against reigning champions Manchester City.
11:43
Jack Pitt-Brooke reports:
Leicester City are closing in on the signing of the very talented Turkish centre-back Caglar Soyuncu from Freiburg today. Arsenal had a deal lined up to sign Soyuncu from two months ago but The Independent has learned that they tried to lower the fee and when Freiburg did not agree, Arsenal walked away from the deal. That frustrated Soyuncu, who wanted to join Arsenal, and Freiburg themselves who were banking on the money. But Leicester City have provided an alternative solution right at the end of the window.
11:23
Danny Welbeck is another Arsenal striker who has been told he is surplus to requirements by Unai Emery.
The 27-year-old was even given an extended holiday after returning from World Cup duty with England, despite only playing 11 minutes.
Southampton are leading the race for his signature, although his high wages could prove prohibitive.
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