ARSENAL are closing in on the crucial signing of Martin Odegaard -and he could even face Chelsea this Sunday.
The Real Madrid star has completed his medical with the Gunners and is expected to be announced imminently.
Meanwhile Hector Bellerin is keen on a move away from Arsenal and could be swapped for Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier.
And goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is closing in on a move to the Gunners despite being sent vile abuse by a tiny minority of supporters.
And finally, Mikel Arteta is listed at evens to be the first Premier League manager to get the sack this season.
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Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates below…
- Joshua Mbu
TRIO TROUBLE
Arsenal are reportedly desperate to ditch three senior stars before deadline day, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
Fabrizio Romano claims Willian, Hector Bellerin and Lucas Torreira have all been transfer listed by Arsenal.
But there are no takers as of yet, with the Gunners ‘looking for bids’ after the trio were made redundant by Mikel Arteta.
Brazilian winger Willian, 33, only joined the club on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer.
But he failed to impress at the Emirates and no longer has a future under Arteta.
Romano claims links with top Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli were ‘completely fake’.
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNING FOR GLORY
Arsenal have spent their fair share of money under boss Mikel Arteta.
Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale look to be the next two to come through the doors at the Emirates.
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNING FOR HIM
Aaron Ramsdale has been targeted with a torrent of vile abuse by 'pathetic' Arsenal 'fans', writes DAVE FRASER.
It's forced the Gunners' transfer target to limit who can comment on his Instagram posts.
The England stopper, 23, is now just hours away from signing for the Gunners in a £30million move from Sheffield United.
Ramsdale is expected to sign his contract at the Emirates on Thursday after the two clubs agreed on a fee on Wednesday evening.
The move has been widely panned by pundits in recent weeks.
Jamie O'Hara claimed selling Emiliano Martinez for £20m and signing Ramsdale for £30m a year later was a mistake.
The talkSPORT star is not alone either, with others suggesting spending £30m for a 'backup' goalkeeper is paying over the odds.
But a small section of sick Arsenal supporters have gone too far, trolling and even appearing to threaten Ramsdale on Instagram.
- Joshua Mbu
DEAL TO BE DONE
Former Arsenal player Kevin Campbell believes there's a deal to be done should Barcelona come calling for club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
It is believed that the cash-strapped LaLiga giants are willing to offer Philippe Coutinho as part of the deal.
But Campbell would rather see the Gunners sign others from Barca.
He told Football Insider: "Coutinho has suffered a lot of injuries.
"On his day he’s world-class, the problem is there haven’t been many of those days in the last 18 months.
“That’s a big risk. If Aubameyang wants out, Barcelona want to use trades.
“Even if it’s not Coutinho, Barcelona have a good right back, they have a good goalkeeper in Ter Stegen.
“I don’t think Coutinho is the answer but there are plenty of other players who we could take.
“If Barcelona come in for Aubameyang, there is a deal to be done. Arsenal hold the cards.
“But another attacker? No, not for me.”
- Joshua Mbu
NEXT FIVE
Arsenal face London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates next, before facing West Brom in the cup.
The Gunners could be pointless after three league games as they face defending Premier League champions Man City at the Etihad.
- Dylan Terry
TOR BLIMEY
Arsenal flop Shkodran Mustafi has been thrown a career lifeline by Torino, according to reports.
The Gunners paid Valencia £35million for the German international in 2016.
However centre-back Mustafi, 29, failed to live up to expectations and made a series of high-profile blunders.
He was released in February and joined Schalke, but the German club let him go following their relegation from the Bundesliga.
Reports in Italy and Germany now claim Mustafi's father – who acts as his agent – has held talks with Torino officials.
The former Everton youngster is understood to be seeking a three-year deal worth around £5m.
Serie A Torino are seeking a new central defender after French stalwart Nicolas Nkoulou's contract expired.
- Dylan Terry
RACE AGAINST TIME
Arsenal face a race against time to complete the signings of Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale if they are to make the squad for this weekend's clash with Chelsea.
The Gunners are on the brink of completing £30million deals for the attacking midfielder and goalkeeper from Real Madrid and Sheffield United respectively.
Mikel Arteta is hoping to bolster his squad following his side's shock Premier League opening day defeat the hands of newly-promoted Brentford.
But Arsenal next go up against rampant Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
And should Arteta want Odegaard and/or Ramsdale to make the match-day squad, they must be registered by midday on FRIDAY.
- Dylan Terry
TAKING THE MIK
Ex-Arsenal ace Mikael Silvestre has predicted where he thinks his former club will finish in the Premier League this season.
In an interview with the MyBettingSites, reported by the Metro, he said: "When a team like Arsenal see the top teams spending a lot of money and bringing in quality players, it will worry them quite a bit.
"They already had a tough task with having to improve from last season and closing the gap.
"But this has made it extremely hard for Mikel Arteta and his team to break into the top six this season.
"That must be their main aim this season – to break back into the top six."
- Dylan Terry
IN-SAN-ITY
The details of how Arsenal and Manchester United concocted the swap deal for Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been revealed by a former Gunners chief.
Dick Law led the North London club's transfer negotiations for eight years before his departure shortly after the surprise trade was pulled off.
Law told The Athletic: "The first part is, ‘Man United, what would you pay for Sanchez?’. The answer was nothing.
"So then we say, ‘Nothing means he stays here. Something means we can talk’. And that’s when they suggested Mkhitaryan going the opposite way.
“At this time, Ivan [Gazidis] was really dealing directly with Manchester United, on a CEO to CEO level.
"But I was dealing with Mino [Raiola] and we were trying to sort out exactly where Mkhitaryan stood.
"It was pretty clear from Mino that Mkhitaryan was ready to leave Man United and would come to Arsenal.
"We knew that Sanchez wanted to leave Arsenal, his preference was Manchester City but that train had already left the station.
"It was clear that anywhere but Arsenal was fine with Sanchez, so that’s how the beginning of these conversations happen: Mkhitaryan surplus to their needs, Sanchez just basically forcing his way out."
- Dylan Terry
FAN OF RAM?
Arsenal are close to signing Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in a deal worth up to £30million.
The proposed move has divided opinion among Gunners fans, with many not seeing him as an upgrade on current stopper Bernd Leno.
Arsenal have been chasing Ramsdale for weeks and have reportedly agreed an initial £24m fee with the Blades, rising to £30m with add-ons.
The former England youth international was left out of United's squad for their 4-0 Championship defeat to West Brom on Wednesday evening.
SunSport considers whether Ramsdale is an improvement on Leno – Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper for the last three seasons.
- Dylan Terry
FER REAL
Rio Ferdinand would have left Arsene Wenger with a big selection headache, had he signed for Arsenal in 2014.
The transfer was on the cards after the defender left Manchester United and approached the Gunners about a potential move to North London.
Alas, Wenger rejected the opportunity and Ferdinand has admitted that he would have struggled to help the club's pursuit of silverware.
He told his YouTube channel: "The maddest thing is I thought about [joining] Arsenal.
"I said, 'Arsene, listen, I am leaving Man United and if you want, I will come and try and help the dressing room etc. because I think you need help in that department'.
"'I will obviously play but, more importantly, I will come for the culture'.
"He didn't take me up on the offer and he was right because my performances at QPR weren't up to the levels.
"But in the changing room, I believe I could have helped him, because that is where a lot of the culture derives from."
- Dylan Terry
RAMSDALE HELL
Aaron Ramsdale has been forced to limit who can comment on his Instagram posts after receiving a torrent of vile abuse from Arsenal 'fans'.
The England stopper, 23, is now just hours away from signing for the Gunners in a £30million move from Sheffield United.
Ramsdale is expected to sign his contract at the Emirates on Thursday after the two clubs agreed on a fee on Wednesday evening.
The move has been widely panned by pundits in recent weeks.
But a small section of sick Arsenal supporters have gone too far, trolling and even appearing to threaten Ramsdale on Instagram.
In a stomach-churning thread, one fan wrote: "Burn in motherf***ing hell you piece of s***, stay far away from Arsenal."
Another sick troll said: "F*** off man. We don't want you at Arsenal. Trust me you'll be getting abuse every day."
- Dylan Terry
GUNNAR CHANGE?
Brendan Rodgers is favourite to replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal again.
Rodgers was momentarily replaced by Eddie Howe as the leading contender with the bookmakers this week.
But the Leicester boss is back to into top spot at Evens with Betfair.
Howe has moved out to 3/1 while Antonio Conte, who left Inter Milan after winning Serie A, is 6/1.
Other contenders include Ralph Hasenhuttl, Roberto Martinez and Gian Piero Gasperini.
Arsenal next manager
Betfair odds
- Brendan Rodgers Evens
- Eddie Howe 3/1
- Antonio Conte 6/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl 11/1
- Roberto Martinez 14/1
- Gian Piero Gasperini 14/1
- Paulo Fonesca 14/1
- Freddie Ljungberg 16/1
NO GO LAUTARO
Lautaro Martinez is rumoured to be on the verge of dashing Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s hopes of signing him, according to reports.
The Argentina forward is thought to be close to agreeing new terms with Inter Milan that will see him stay at the Serie A club for the next five years.
And Sky Sports Italia say the striker has undergone ‘positive’ talks with Nerazzurri officials which are believed to have been in the offing for weeks.
The claims come amid speculation that Tottenham had agreed to a £60million deal with the Italian giants to bring the player to North London.
GUNNER SWAP
A potential swap deal involving Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier is reportedly ‘a genuine prospect’ this summer window.
The 26-year-old Gunners ace is growing increasingly frustrated with life under Mikel Arteta and has been linked with a move away for several months.
He was an unused substitute for the club’s defeat at newly-promoted Brentford on Friday.
Bellerin wants to return to Spain and both Atletico and Barcelona are keen.
Arteta is believed to be keen on getting a player in exchange for the full-back, with both Trippier and Barca’s Emerson mentioned as potential options.
Now Football London claims the Bellerin and Trippier swap is ‘a genuine prospect’.
And Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette could also reportedly be used in a possible exchange package.
- Dylan Terry
HOUSSE HUNTING
Tottenham have joined Arsenal in the chase for Lyon star Houssem Aouar, reports claim.
The Mirror says Spurs are set to make a late transfer move for the midfielder who has been heavily linked with an Emirates switch.
The club's bid has been given a boost by news that Arsenal are close to finalising a £30million agreement with Real Madrid for Martin Odegaard.
That would see the Norway playmaker Martin Odegaard return to the Gunners following his loan spell in the side last term.
Aouar, 23, is thought to be a target for a number of teams in the Prem and Europe, with Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace among them.
- Dylan Terry
FLUNKIN' DOUGHNUTS
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal tactics have been described as a 'doughnut of sadness' after their shocker at Brentford.
The analysis from Tifo – a football tactics podcast – was particularly cutting.
Drawing the trajectory of the ball as it circles around the pitch without going anywhere, the analyst mournfully says: "Pepe cuts back in and he goes back to [Calum] Chambers, and Chambers goes to [Ben] White, and White goes back to Sambi [Lokonga].
"Then Sambi puts it back to [Granit] Xhaka, and Xhaka goes back to [Kieran] Tierney, and it goes again and again and again in this doughnut of sadness.
"The doughnut of shame – going around and around and around and around, never going anywhere."
- Dylan Terry
RED HEAD 2 HEAD
Arsenal have replaced Joe Willock with Martin Odegaard and upgraded their midfield in the process – or have they?
The Gunners flogged Willock, 21, to Newcastle for £25million and have signed Odegaard, 22, from Real Madrid for £34m.
Fans are split over whether Norwegian ace Odegaard offers more than Willock.
And Gunners legend Paul Merson has hit out at his old club for letting academy product Willock go.
SunSport have unearthed stats from last season to explore whether Gooners should expect their team to be stronger with Odegaard instead of Willock in 21-22.
- Dylan Terry
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Here are Arsenal's next five Premier League games as they look to recover from their opening day defeat to Brentford:
- Dylan Terry
WINTER WARNING
Arsenal must learn from their 'disastrous' performance against Brentford or meet an even worse fate against Chelsea, says Nigel Winterburn.
The Gunners legend said: "From an Arsenal supporters' point of view, we want a high energy performance and commitment.
"Friday night they showed anything but that. It was a disaster.
"Not only defensively, but going forward, the front three didn't produce anything. It was either wide from Tierney or a burst from Emile Smith Rowe, that was it.
"Arsenal cannot afford to focus on just one Chelsea player on Sunday.
"Chelsea have an array of exceptional individuals, and they perform very well tactically, and as a team.
"A manager must analyse Chelsea to find their strengths and any weakness to exploit. All managers will feel that there are some visible weaknesses."
- Dylan Terry
LOC AND LOADED
Juventus have officially announced the signing of Italy star Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo.
The midfielder, 23, was linked with Arsenal earlier in the window.
But the Euro 2020 star only wanted to go to Juve, and has penned a five-year deal.
- Dylan Terry
HOUSS LAUGHING NOW
Tottenham are reportedly set to swoop for Houssem Aouar, after Arsenal secured the permanent signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.
The Gunners have long been linked with Lyon midfielder Aouar.
But having moved for Odegaard instead, the Mirror claim that the path is now clear for Spurs to sign 23-year-old Aouar.
The France international has been transfer listed by Lyon supremo Juninho, and previously excelled alongside Tanguy Ndombele in Ligue 1.
- Alex Terrell
I'M STAYING 'EIRRE
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is determined to stay at Arsenal and become a club legend according to reports.
The Gabon star, 32, has been linked with a move away from the Emirates in recent weeks.
But according to the Express, Aubameyang wants to see through the contract he signed in September last year.
He scored 15 goals in all competitions last season, with four assists, compared to his 29 strikes the season before.
- Alex Terrell
'BANTER FC'
Arsenal have been called 'Banter FC' by former Tottenham and Billericay star Jamie O'Hara.
The talkSPORT pundit has blasted the club's recruitment this summer as they close in on deals for Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners have also signed Ben White, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga during this summer's transfer window.
But former Spurs midfielder O'Hara has criticised Arsenal's business, telling talkSPORT: "They are Banter FC right now… they are Banter FC!
"Odegaard, Ramsdale, White, Lokonga and Tavares – they've spent £135m on a B team. Is their team any better than what it was last season?"
- Thomas Blow
MORNING, ARSENAL FANS
The Gunners have bolstered their ranks by reportedly completing the signing of Martin Odegaard for around £30million.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is complete and the North Londoners have agreed on personal terms with the Norwegian.
Odegaard, 22, is believed to have agreed a five-year contract with Mikel Arteta’s men.
He starred on loan at Emirates Stadium during the second half of last season, scoring twice and assisting another two goals in 20 appearances.
Another midfield target Houssem Aouar has reportedly been transfer listed by Lyon supremo Juninho.
But according to the Mirror, Arsenal’s prioritising of Odegaard has made a further move for Aouar unlikely – with rivals Spurs now in the driving seat for the French international.
Another former midfield target Manuel Locatelli yesterday completed his move to Juventus from Sassuolo.
The Gunners had been keen on the Italian after his stellar performances at Euro 2020.
In other transfer news, Arsenal are set to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to reports.
The North Londoners were linked with the Blades stopper earlier in the window, but baulked at their £35m valuation.
According to David Ornstein, however, the two parties have agreed on a fee worth an initial £24m, with another £6m in potential bonuses likely to only be reached if Ramsdale becomes Arsenal's No1.
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