Time is running out for Premier League clubs to strengthen their squads before the transfer window closes for business.
Monday, October 5, will act as the last chance for Premier League clubs to sign players from abroad until January, meaning Arsenal have less than a fortnight to try and bolster their central-midfield options.
Throughout the summer Arsenal, who maintained their winning start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, have been keen to add a new central-midfielder to their ranks, as Mikel Arteta, the Gunners boss, looks to try and continue to put his own stamp of authority on his squad.
For several months, the Gunners have been closely linked with signing Atletico Madrid midfield enforcer Thomas Partey in an effort to add some much-needed steel and strength to their squad. More recently, though, Arsenal have started to be heavily linked with a move for Lyon and France ace Houssem Aouar, who would add a sense of creativity to the Gunners' options when attacking.
However, as it has been documented throughout the summer, Arsenal need to first offload players and cut their cloth before launching a move for Partey or Aouar, with their valuations significantly higher than what the Gunners can currently afford.
But in what appears to be a huge boost for Arsenal in their efforts to land Partey before the window closes, Atletico Madrid are keen to sign former Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye from French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
According to a report by Culture PSG, the Ligue 1 club need to cut their cloth this summer and Gueye is seen as a player who could bring in significant funds.
And it is reported that Atletico have enquired about the prospect of signing Gueye, who would significantly strengthen Diego Simeone's defensive-midfield options. Should Gueye swap Paris for Madrid before the window closed, it could mean that Atletico would be more willing to let go of Partey, who has a release clause of around £45million in his contract.
But even if Gueye was to join Atletico before the window closed, Arsenal would still need to cut their cloth to be able to fund a move for the Ghana international, even if Atletico were to allow him to leave.
