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.
Partey asks to leave
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has reportedly told the club and Mikel Arteta that he wishes to leave this summer. It was revealed last month that the 30-year-old was a potential candidate to exit the midfield, especially as a deal to sign Declan Rice advances.
With two years left on his contract and having impressed immensely throughout last season, the Gunners are willing to let their Ghana midfielder depart with the focus on revamping the central areas with younger alternatives. Now, it is said that he has communicated his desire to leave directly to Arteta and sporting director Edu.
football.london says: Arsenal are making a key move away from those that helped them to such success last season and have been looking not only at Rice but also Mason Mount and Moises Caicedo in the past few months. If they are able to secure at least one extra body as well as Rice, having Partey move on would be a smart move.
Granit Xhaka is also set to leave once a new defensive midfielder comes in and reports now suggest that a sale of him to Bayer Leverkusen has been delayed too. With the Bundesliga side offering him a four-year deal, Arsenal are now said to be asking for more money in response to the role being handed to the Swiss international.
In total, it makes for a messy situation whereby both players are waiting to leave whilst only incoming is on the cards currently. That isn't too much of a worry given the harmony that Arteta has created in the squad and the senior roles that Partey and Xhaka have played, but waiting deep into the window helps nobody.
READ MORE: Arsenal player set for crunch transfer talks as Mikel Arteta plots $50m move
Timber not training
Arsenal transfer target Jurrien Timber is no longer training with Ajax, according to reports. The player has agreed to personal terms with the Gunners and a final fee is still being discussed with a demanded £40million ($50.8m) being discussed.
This price still falls short of the price that Ajax are looking to recoup for their 22-year-old but is an advance on the first offer made by Arsenal as the deal looks closer and closer to completion.
football.london says: It's not usually a good look for any party when training is being missed but in this situation it's about as ammicable as can be. Ajax are going to receive a sizeable amount for their defender and Arsenal don't have to worry about a freak injury.
If all goes well then he will be joining up with the squad that tours America this month and there will be excitement over his deal. As for a relationship with Ajax, it's hardly going to be too bad, even as an academy player.
We have seen players avoid training before and it descends into chaos, on this occassion it just seems to be the smartest choice.
