Mikel Arteta is preparing for a summer clear-out at Arsenal, with up to eight high-profile exits and five significant incomings in the offing.
The Gunners agonisingly missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City this season and Arteta has made it abundantly clear just how important the upcoming summer transfer window will be in fuelling next year's assault. "We are going to have to nail the recruitment, because we know that we are going to have play a different level and the demands are going to be even higher," the Arsenal manager declared earlier this month.
Without outgoings, the Premier League runners-up won't be able to rebuild in the way which Arteta desires. Mirror Football understands that the Spanish boss is ready to wave goodbye to a number of players who've served him well during his reign, with midfield pairing Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka potentially among them.
Partey is the subject of interest from two unnamed clubs in Italy, with the 29-year-old Ghanaian's dip in form during the crucial run-in proving fatal to Arsenal's title hopes. Under contract for two more seasons, the Gunners could cash in on Partey this summer while the demand is still there.
His partner in Arsenal's engine room, Xhaka, has already dropped a major hint regarding his imminent departure. Bayer Leverkusen recently stepped up their interest, with manager Xabi Alonso now close to welcoming the Switzerland captain, 30, back to Germany seven years after leaving Borussia Monchengladbach.
"You will know latest next week, for sure," Xhaka confirmed following Saturday's dismal 1-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest which confirmed City's third successive title. Pressed on whether it'd be before this Sunday's game at home to Wolves, the former Gladbach ace replied: "Yes."
A host of fringe players are also verging on an exit, with defensive trio Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the chopping block.
While Tierney has struggled for game-time at left-back this season, Holding has been forced to deputise in the absence of William Saliba but looked levels below the outstanding Frenchman. Maitland-Niles recently confirmed an exit ahead of his deal expiring next month, having spent the past three seasons out on loan.
There's also set to be movement in the forward areas, with academy graduate Reiss Nelson poised to become a free agent after failing to agree a new contract. Folarin Balogun has shone on loan at French outfit Reims this season, scoring 21 goals in 37 games, but with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah taking up Arteta's striking options, the 21-year-old may be made surplus to requirements.
Mirror Football also understands Emile Smith Rowe could also be sacrificed, as the Gunners look to strengthen their options with Leicester 's James Maddison on their radar. As for others who could come in alongside Maddison, Declan Rice is the apple of Arsenal's eye right now.
The West Ham captain could lift a European trophy in just over two weeks' time when the Irons face Italian side Fiorentina in the Europa League Conference League final, but it could act as a farewell. Boss David Moyes is braced for Rice's departure, although it'll likely cost the Gunners around the £100million mark. Other targets should be cheaper, but not by much.
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Man City full-back Joao Cancelo, who's spent the second half of this season on loan at Bayern Munich, has been earmarked after a fallout with manager Pep Guardiola. Champions League revenue should allow Arsenal to splash out more on the transfer front and for Cancelo, they'd surely have to pay around £61m, the same amount which Bayern have the option to buy him permanently for.
Speaking of City players, Ilkay Gundogan is set to be available on a free and Arteta would like to reunite with him in North London. Another Premier League target is Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, who'd provide strong cover for Saliba and at 22 is also one for the future.
Arsenal will struggle to be in a better position to win their first league title since 2004 as they were at various stages this term, but if the Gunners strike gold in the transfer market and continue their impressive recent recruitment record - much thanks to Edu's work as technical director - then silverware could start to pour through at the Emirates over the coming years.
