Arsenal director confirms Gunners transfer deadline day plans
- Arsenal have already signed Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya
- Focus now turns to offloading players
- Rob Holding, Cedric Soares and Albert Sambi Lokonga among those tipped to leave
By Tom Gott
Arsenal director Edu has confirmed his work on transfer deadline day will revolve around offloading the fringe players from Mikel Arteta's first-team squad.
The Gunners have spent big this summer, recruiting Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya for well over £200m as they seek to topple Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
With Arteta now happy with his squad, Edu's work on Friday will revolve around departures, with left-back Nuno Tavares' move to Nottingham Forest perhaps the first of many deals.
"As everyone saw, we made a strong strategy to be very proactive at the beginning of the transfer window and I think we did it," Edu said after Thursday's Champions League draw. "Now we are talking about trying to balance the squad a little bit better.
"We keep talking to a few clubs, but so far, we are really happy with the transfer window and we have to say thank you very much to all the people that work at the club to make that happen - good, exciting season ahead for us!"
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Tavares has already departed on loan with a view to a permanent transfer but there are still a number of Arsenal stars facing uncertain futures as the transfer deadline inches closer.
Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, centre-back Rob Holding and right-back Cedric Soares are all available for transfer, while midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and winger Nicolas Pepe could leave if the right offers arrive.
Arsenal have already rebuffed advances from Saudi Arabia over both Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey, with Arteta determined to keep hold of the two first-team regulars.
Emile Smith Rowe was a target for Chelsea but, after the Blues signed Cole Palmer from Manchester City, the 23-year-old is not expected to leave.
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