Arsenal’s transfer business this summer has been something of a slow burner.
Mikel Arteta completed a free transfer swoop for Brazilian international Willian following his release from rivals Chelsea, while a deal for Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to be completed imminently.
However, despite assurances from technical director Edu that the club would be making several signings ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, a number of moves have stalled ahead of the big September 12 kick off.
Here we take a look at the big emerging transfer stories involving the Gunners.
Arsenal join race to sign Marseille’s Sanson
Arsenal have joined the growing list of Premier League sides tracking Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson, according to the Daily Mail.
The 26-year old is a long-term target of West Ham boss David Moyes, but Wolves, Fulham, Burnley, and now the Gunners are all set to battle for his signature.
Marseille are supposedly open to offers in the region of £25m for Sanson, with Andre Villas-Boas looking to use the fee to reshape his squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.
The former France Under-21 international has established himself as a consistent figure in the heart of Marseille’s midfield following his 2016 arrival from Montpellier, and played a key role in their Champions League qualification at the back end of 2019/20.
Juventus boss Pirlo tracking Bellerin
New Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo has highlighted Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin as a key transfer target ahead of the 2020/21 Serie A campaign.
Bellerin is under contract at the Emirates until 2023, but the Metro claims a deal is close to completion despite the Spaniard having re-established himself in Arteta’s plans following the restart of the 2019/20 season.
Former Chelsea midfielder Juan Cuadrado filled in at right-back for Juve last season, but Pirlo is rumoured to be keen on sourcing a specialist option for his debut season at the helm in Turin.
Gunners target Diawara as Partey alternative
Arsenal have given up in their quest to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey and the north London club have now reportedly turned their attention to Roma star Amadou Diawara instead.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for Ghana international Partey but the La Liga giants' insistence on Arsenal paying his full €50m (£45m) release clause has ended their interest.
Talksport claim Arteta has grown frustrated over the lack of progress on a move for Partey, with Diawara emerging as a cheaper option at £27m.
However, with the 23-year old less than 12 months into a five-year contract in the Italian capital, negotiations are likely to be difficult for Edu.
