Arsenal look set to be impacted by two major transfer decisions made by another Premier League club.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta will likely feel as though the majority of their summer business has been completed, but there are still a few more things left to resolve.
As over £200 million has been spent to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, sanctioning exits is the clear priority.
It is believed that the Gunners are open to selling Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko. All five have been the subject of interest from elsewhere but only Nelson looked to be closing in on an exit.
In late July, it was revealed that advanced talks had started for the 25-year-old to re-join Fulham on another season-long loan. A permanent exit was Arsenal’s preference but it seemed possible that if certain conditions were met, an obligatory purchase clause would be activated.
Over the last few weeks, no real progress has seemingly been made in those discussions which has resulted in Fulham switching their attention onto a different winger. In the last seven days, two offers have been submitted to Shakhtar Donetsk in an attempt to sign their star player Kevin.
The latest of those, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, was worth £31.9m (€37m) plus add-ons but the Ukrainian club want £43.1m (€50m). Shakhtar are known for being tough negotiators – as Arsenal discovered when they tried to sign Mykhailo Mudryk – and will therefore likely get what they want.
Fulham’s chances of signing Kevin look to have increased, however, courtesy of a deal being agreed between Sao Paulo and Shakhtar for Brazilian wonderkid Lucas Ferreira. The latest twist in this saga involves Rodrigo Muniz joining Atalanta with the potential knock-on effect for Arsenal clear.
According to Sky Sports, a £34.5m (€40m) offer has been submitted by the Serie A side. Romano has since added that talks are advancing with the Brazilian keen on joining and confidence from Atalanta that the deal will get done.
Having allowed Carlos Vinicius to depart at the end of his contract, Raul Jimenez could soon be the only recognised striker at the club. With that in mind, it seems almost certain a new No.9 will be brought in before the summer window closes.
Reaching Kevin’s asking price, by using the funds obtained through the departure of Muniz, is now a real possibility with the remainder then likely to be used to bring in a replacement for the 24-year-old.
Where that leaves Nelson and Fulham is relatively unclear as two other attacking additions look set to be prioritised over him. The Cottagers could return late in the window but by that point, Arsenal may have entertained interest from elsewhere.
