Arsenal transfer deadline day news live: Mustafi exit confirmed, Maitland-Niles agreement
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It’s transfer deadline day and Arsenal look set to be one of the most active sides in the Premier League.
The Gunners have had a hectic window compared to their rivals, with Omar Rekik, Mat Ryan and Martin Odegaard drafted in.
Mikel Arteta is still looking to sign a left-back before this evening’s deadline, while there are also a number of departures on the cards.
Negotiations to end Shkodran Mustafi’s contract prematurely have taken place, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson could leave on loan to secure more regular first-team opportunities.
To ensure you stay right up to date with all the very latest Gunners transfer news ahead of deadline day, keep refreshing our live blog below for all the very latest as it happens.
Arsenal fans sent into transfer frenzy after spotting hint over third January deal
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Arsenal supporters have been sent into a brief transfer frenzy after spotting what they believe to be a hint regarding a potential new signing.
With just hours remaining of the January window, the Gunners have, so far, managed to meet their main priorities that were set out by Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu at the start of last month.
The plan was to trim down the numbers in Arsenal’s first-team squad, and the aforementioned duo have successfully managed that with no less than five departures.
Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba joined Schalke and Nice respectively, while Matt Macey sealed a move to Scottish side Hibernian.
Sokratis and Mesut Ozil have since been added to Arsenal’s list of January departures with both players agreeing to a contract termination in order to join Olympiacos and Fenerbahce respectively.
Meanwhile, Shkodran Mustafi is set to complete a move to Schalke, Joe Willock is on Newcastle United’s radar and it looks likely that Maitland-Niles will leave on loan amid links to West Brom and Leicester City.
In terms of incomings, the Gunners have added to their first-team squad with the loan signings of Mat Ryan and Martin Odegaard.
And Arteta has assured Arsenal fans that work is going on behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium in an attempt to secure some late business.
“The last day of the window is always unpredictable, things can happen. It might happen, it might not happen,” he told a press conference. “We are on it.”
(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Perhaps thinking an announcement is imminent, some supporters think the club’s official Facebook account has hinted at a third deal being completed before the 11pm deadline.
As seen in the image below, Ryan and Odegaard are listed under the incomings section and there’s a thinking face emoji next to ‘3)’ which may tease an announcement.
This has prompted some wild theories from fans on Reddit as to who could be joining Arsenal - ranging from Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish to Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.
Take a look at what’s been said.
Adorable-Grocery-439 said: “Welcome Bissouma!”
MrIrishman699 said: “Bertrand and Van Aanholt have been mentioned but nothing too concrete.”
kothrudkar said: “We might sign one of Josh Doig PVA or Bertrand.”
For all the latest news as it happens around Arsenal on deadline day follow our live blog here .
HerbieJoe said: " 1)Maty 2)Martin 3)Messi. Bookmark this comment."
WengersJacketZip said: “G r e a l i s h.”
JojoJoker102 said: “Sabitzer.”
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TSM_LittleRaphie said: “Messi.”
ILilAdxxlI said: “Praying it’s Bissouma.”
grim_tales1 asked: “Does that definitely hint at a 3rd signing being worked on?”
‘Our only chance’ - Arsenal fans make Achraf Hakimi demand after £40m transfer details emerge
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Arsenal fans are gearing up for what could be a busy day as the January window slams shut this evening, with Mikel Arteta confirming deals are in the works.
The Gunners remain in the market for a left-back to provide depth beyond Kieran Tierney and outgoing deals are also on the cards, with a number of young players set to leave on loan.
While there is still work to do in the mid-season window, some Arsenal fans have started to turn their head towards the summer after some interesting news emerged.
The Athletic has detailed that Inter Milan ace Achraf Hakimi could be available at the end of the season due to the Italian side’s financial struggles.
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Inter landed the Morocco international in the summer for a €40m fee from Real Madrid but were unable to make their first €10m payment for the transfer, with the two sides agreeing to delay the first payment until the end of March.
However, finances remain stretched and, while Hakimi is happy at the San Siro, it’s stated that he would be open to a move to the Premier League.
In fact, Arsenal are said to have held long-term interest in the former Real Madrid youngster and were looking at a deal last season.
It’s said that, in the end, Arsenal opted against a move due to the price and payment structure, while their preference was also to retain Hector Bellerin as first choice right-back.
Many fans believe that the situation should be revisited though, with Bellerin coming under heavy criticism at stages this season.
A move for Hakimi would command a fee of around £40m and his wages would be at least £75k-a-week but Arsenal supporters are keen for the transfer to be made.