Four more players all expected to leave Arsenal before deadline day as Mikel Arteta plans clear-out

Tue 6 August 2024 11:15, UK

Arsenal evidently set out on a clear mission to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad depth this summer in order to bridge the small gap to Manchester City.

The task was a relatively simple one: replace players on the periphery of Arteta’s squad with high-calibre alternatives.

A simple plan in theory, but one that was always going to be difficult to execute in a slow transfer market.

Perhaps Eddie Nketiah’s predicament is the best example right now.

Nketiah has agreed terms with Marseille to leave Arsenal – a move that could kick-start Edu’s plans to bring a new attacker in before the end of August.

However, Arsenal are struggling to agree a fee with the French side – determined to recoup better figures for those who depart.

And as the window goes on, clubs will increasingly feel as if they can achieve a bargain – knowing that sides like Arsenal are wanting to sell before they buy.

Moreover, in that respect, it’s interesting to read report that Arsenal are still hoping to sell four players before the end of this month.

Arsenal hoping to sell Eddie Nketiah and three others before end of August

If you include Karl Hein, who expected to leave on loan for League One football at either Charlton or Barnsley this summer, there are actually five possible departures.

But along with Nketiah, Arsenal are expected to say goodbye to three other first-team players permanently.

According to the report, fellow Hale-Ender Reiss Nelson is also expected to depart this summer.

Nelson has interest from Leicester City, but it seems as if West Ham United have ended their own pursuit after signing Crysencio Summerville.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is next on the list.

Ramsdale wants to leave Arsenal this summer, not content with his role as number two to David Raya.

And given that Hein could also leave on loan as mentioned, Arsenal would need to bring a new face in, perhaps even two.

Arsenal sent more than one bid to Wolves for Daniel Bentley in recent weeks – a move that could be revived.

And Arsenal are also chasing Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, who could be a more amicable understudy for Raya.

That being said, The Athletic believe that after the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal could also sell a defender to balance out their squad.

That seems likely to be one of Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko or Jakub Kiwior, who have all fallen down the pecking order since the Italian arrived.

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Four more players all expected to leave Arsenal before deadline day as Mikel Arteta plans clear-out

Arsenal hoping to sell Eddie Nketiah and three others before end of August