Welcome to the football.london transfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Arsenal going on in the market we've got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what's what in the world of the Gunners.
Manchester United make Partey call
Manchester United have turned to Thomas Partey as he looks to find ample backup for Casemiro this summer. The Red Devils have already signed Mason Mount from Chelsea but are already looking for more midfield reinforcement according to reports in Holland.
Fichajes write that after Declan Rice is announced as a Gunner, Arsenal will turn to letting Partey exit as well as Granit Xhaka as a deal with Bayer Leverkusen is completed. It would mean that just one midfielder is coming in to replace two exits and it also strengthens a direct Premier League rival.
With the Sun writing that a £30million ($38m) bid for Partey could be enough, United have planned for making Partey their next statement signing with the idea of selling Scott McTominay and Donny can de Beek. Partey also has offers from the Saudi Pro League though, as well as Juventus.
football.london says: Arsenal are playing a risky game in midfield as it is, let alone without strengthening a top four rival. With the competitiveness of the league heading into next season, letting Partey join United only plays into that jeopardy.
With two out, it also raises the need for more additions to be made. Fabio Vieira does not naturally operate from deep, Albert Sambi Lokonga is far from the finished article and with more pressure and expectation on Mikel Arteta's men, allowing multiple departures without securing replacements is a questionable strategy.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice medical, Kylian Mbappe 'agreement', Partey exit
Romeo Lavia is sure to be heavily pursued but with competition for his signature, it is surely too early to be confident that he will be able to join the club without issue. Ultimately, though, Arsenal, Arteta and Edu Gaspar have got very little wrong in recent seasons and if their decision to reduce the age of the squad means letting Xhaka and Partey go at the start of a window, they have earned the trust in making such a brave call.
Arsenal face battle for Aymeric Laporte
Arsenal will have to beat off Chelsea if they are to sign Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte this summer. The Spanish centre-back is reportedly available to leave the Etihad Stadium after four and a half years.
Having already completed moves for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus in the past 12 months, Arsenal were also keen on signing Ilkay Gundogan before he joined Barcelona following the end of his contract in Manchester. Now, they are said to be one of many clubs, including Chelsea, considering a move for the 29-year-old.
Laporte has two years left on his deal and, according to reports from Italy, will be free to move for around £25million ($32.1m) this summer. Tottenham are also in the mix as City look to bring in some funds ahead of their push for Josko Gvardiol.
football.london says: A Spanish defender that Arteta has previously managed with years of top level Premier League experience for such a low price? This feels almost too good to be true. When Arteta was at City, Laporte was one of the best defenders in the league and shone during the start of his career in England.
Now Ruben Dias has emerged and Pep Guardiola turns towards four centre-back formations, there is serious competition for places. Then again, in north London Laporte would be competing with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. For Arteta, it is the perfect scenario but for Laporte it may be that he doesn't get the immediate squad role he is after.
Gabriel and Saliba were two of the best defenders in the league last year and have formed the basis for a young foundation to the team. Whilst Laporte's experience is invaluable, having three high-quality players of that calibre is a massive challenge to manage. Then again, injuries have proved to be an issue for Arsenal's defence and further reinforcements, even with Jurrien Timber, would be welcomed.
Signing Laporte would be a serious statement of intent for the Gunners but would also pose big questions for Arteta to answer, and perhaps not ones he is keen to solve immediately. For Guardiola to consider selling a player of Laporte's quality is unforgivable, though, and not something any other side in the league would be capable of.
