ARSENAL are closing in on the crucial signing of Martin Odegaard, and the Norwegian could even face Chelsea this Sunday.
And former target Houssem Aouar could also be available for a cut price fee after reportedly being transfer listed by Lyon.
Meanwhile Sheffield United boss Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed Arsenal are still in talks with his club to sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
And finally, Mikel Arteta is listed at evens to be the first Premier League manager to get the sack this season.
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Get all the latest transfer news, gossip and updates below…
- Etienne Fermie
PAUL THE OTHER ONE
Arsenal icon Paul Merson has hit out at technical director Edu for his transfer dealings since the Invincibles hero returned to North London.
The Sky Sports pundit said: “It’s worrying at Arsenal. You’re still thinking: ‘Where are they going?’
Edu has come in, and the recruitment has been lazy, if I’m being honest. It’s been: ‘Oh, we’ll take Willian on a free… we’ll take David Luiz for cheap.’
“I remember years ago in football, managers were judged on signings. Sometimes I think Arteta is left behind, and I’m not sure how much of a say he has got in all of this.
“Why would you let Joe Willock go? I’m not saying he’s the answer, but he’s come through the club and is going for £25m, that sort of money isn’t going to change Arsenal.
“It’s not like a Harry Kane or Jack Grealish sale where you get £100m and can rebuild the team.”
Paul Merson has had his say on former club ArsenalCredit: Getty - Etienne Fermie
SOD'S LAU
Inter Milan have today held contract talks with rumoured Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez's agent.
The Argentine has been linked with a move away from San Siro, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Spurs and Atletico Madrid have had bids rejected.
But the Italian reports that Martinez's extension is edging closer, and is likely to be completed in the weeks ahead.
Lautaro Martinez is set to extend his contract at Inter Milan - Jake Lambourne
DUMPING DOUGHNUTS
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal tactics have been described as a 'doughnut of sadness' after their shocker at Brentford.
In perhaps the most brutal take yet on the abysmal display, their tactical system was called a 'doughnut of shame'.
And the analysis from Tifo – a football tactics podcast – was particularly cutting.
Drawing the trajectory of the ball as it circles around the pitch without going anywhere, the analyst mournfully says: "Pepe cuts back in and he goes back to [Calum] Chambers, and Chambers goes to [Ben] White, and White goes back to Sambi [Lokonga].
"Then Sambi puts it back to [Granit] Xhaka, and Xhaka goes back to [Kieran] Tierney, and it goes again and again and again in this doughnut of sadness.
"The doughnut of shame – going around and around and around and around, never going anywhere."
- Jake Lambourne
S-MART MOVE
Martin Odegaard's move to join Arsenal from Real Madrid is reportedly a 'done deal'.
The Gunners are known to be huge admirers of the Norwegian ace following his loan spell last term.
And now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has stated that Odegaard will join Arsenal on a five-year deal.
He tweeted: "Martin Odegaard to Arsenal, here we go and deal confirmed! Permanent move – bit less than €40m [£34m] to Real Madrid.
"Personal terms already agreed on five years contract.
"Edu and Arteta wanted Odegaard as only priority since June, strategy was correct… and now, done deal."
- Jake Lambourne
SACK RACE
Mikel Arteta is the even-money favourite to be the first Premier League manager sent packing this season.
The Arsenal boss was available at 16/1 before the opening round of fixtures took place.
But an abject defeat to newly-promoted Brentford has seen his price shorten to 11/4 and now to Evens with Betfair.
The Gunners couldn't contain Ivan Toney, lacked cohesion and were without any creative spark as they lost 2-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium.
The defeat instantly thrusts the spotlight on Arteta, who must galvanise his side before games against Chelsea and Manchester City.
- Jake Lambourne
RAY OF LIGHT
Thierry Henry was not Arsenal’s top earner during their epic ‘Invincibles’ era with one team-mate ‘probably earning double’ what the Frenchman was.
He told talkSPORT that at least one player was picking up around double the amount the iconic forward was getting.
Parlour said: “Now I couldn’t care less. I think Sol Campbell was our highest paid player, because he came on a free transfer from Spurs.
“I’m not too sure how much he was on, but he was probably on double what Thierry Henry was.”
Parlour added: “But, it doesn’t matter, because Sol was doing a fantastic job and I don’t think it should come down to money.”
- Jake Lambourne
RING THE BELL
Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes there is conflict within the Gunners camp.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missed Friday’s 2-0 defeat against Brentford with a mystery illness, and it’s not confirmed how long they will be out for.
Campbell, who played over 200 games for Arsenal, told Sky Sports: “I am not too sure what’s going on, something isn’t right.
“Right up until the game, they were going to be in the starting line-up, then all of a sudden, they are out.
“So, if they are ill then let us know why they are ill. But I just think there is some infighting going on and Arsenal don’t need this because there’s some serious work to be done.”
- Jake Lambourne
AOUAR OF NEED
Arsenal target Houssem Aouar has reportedly been put up for sale by Lyon.
That is according to French news outlet RMC Sport who have declared that multiple players have been put on the transfer list.
They state that the Ligue 1 side are looking to offload any players with attitude issues.
And of those players in the list is Aouar, with the Gunners already in contact with his agent.
Mikel Arteta is known to be a huge fan of the midfielder with the Spaniard failing to bring him to the Emirates last summer.
- Jake Lambourne
ARSENAL ROUND-UP
Hello and welcome Arsenal fans! It's been a busy 24 hours with the Gunners reportedly closing in on TWO signings.
According to various outlets in England and Spain, Arsenal are poised to bring Martin Odegaard back to the Emirates, only this time it is on a permanent deal.
A deal in the region of £29million has been agreed with Real Madrid who have been reluctant to part ways with him up until this point.
And it has even been suggested that he could be available for Sunday's London derby clash against rivals Chelsea.
In other news, Arsenal are believed to be back in for Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to provide competition for Bernd Leno.
Commenting on the shot-stopper, Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic said: “He is a talented English player and I understand Arsenal are interested, but this is the business.
“If he is one of the best players in the league, his price is high and it’s up to Arsenal if they want him. They need to spend a lot of money.
“I will be disappointed [if he leaves] but it’s part of the realistic situation. Arsenal are pushing from one side and I am pulling from a different side.”
And Spanish news outlet Sport that Barcelona will open talks with Arsenal to discuss the signing of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
It’s believed the Catalan club will offer Mikel Arteta's side Philippe Coutinho in a swap deal for the Gabon international.
Meanwhile transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has stated that Arsenal are in contact with Houssem Aouar's agent with the playmaker keen to depart Lyon.
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