New AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly excluded eight players from training, handing Arsenal potential transfer boosts.
The ex-Tottenham boss has recently moved over to Italy to replace former manager Paulo Fonseca. And it's just like the Portuguese to already make big decisions only a few days into his new management job.
Sky Sport Italia Journalist Angelo Mangiante has reported that eight players will not be part of the team and group, and as a result will be sold this summer by the club.
The names of the players are as followed; Pedro Rodriguez, Justin Kluivert, Robin Olsen, Steven Nzonzi, Ante Coric, Javier Pastore, Davide Santon and finally Federico Fazio.
Out of the eight names on the list are three players that the Gunners have been linked to in the past, and could potentially now make a move after seeing Mourinho's latest decision.
Nzonzi is a midfielder that the north London club have had a long interest in from his days at Stoke City and more previously Sevilla.
With one Europa League title to his name when he was at Spanish side Sevilla, Nzonzi could be the perfect replacement for Granit Xhaka who is likely to join Mourinho at Roma this summer.
£7.2million is the market value being put on the former Sevilla man by transfermarkt, meaning there could be a low price deal agreed between the two clubs for the midfielder, especially now that Mourinho has openly showcased that the France international is no longer wanted at the club.
Former Gunners boss Unai Emery managed Nzonzi at Sevilla, and in 2018 it was reported that the Spanish manager was disappointed with the club for signing Lucas Torreira at the time instead of the French midfielder.
When asked then about the club's interest in the 32-year-old, Emery said: "I know him but we haven’t made a move for him."
The second name on the list that has been linked to Arsenal in the past is Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore.
Pastore, 32, has been linked to the Gunners many times in his career including before and after his spell at Paris Saint-Germain. The midfielder only made five Serie A appearances in the last campaign for AS Roma.
But with many titles to his name and the experience the current Roma player has in abundance, Pastore as an attacking midfield option could benefit the Gunners next season.
Martin Odegaard's loan is unlikely to become permanent, meaning an extra spot in the Arsenal roster has opened up.
The ex-PSG player is a much cheaper alternative to rumoured target James Maddison, who has a price tag in excess of £60m put on him by current club Leicester City.
At only £1.35million, the Gunners hierarchy could save around £58.7million from pursuing the Argentine over the English midfielder. Funds which could be used elsewhere to strengthen Arteta's squad ahead of a crucial season.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have also been linked with a move for Justin Kluivert. While Arteta's squad is well-stacked for attacking talent from a wide position, Kluivert has spoken in the past about potentially making a move to North London.
"If you get a nice offer, you never know," he told Helden.
"England appeals to me: Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea or Manchester United are nice clubs where I can see myself playing in a few years."
