Arsenal Transfer News Today: Merino CONFIRMED, Gyokeres HOPE, Kiwior AXED, Partey EXIT

All the latest Arsenal transfer news, including updates on Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres and Jakub Kiwior.

Arsenal’s talks with Real Sociedad over Merino continue, but a breakthrough appears to be only a matter of time. According to Fabrizio Romano, the only things left to be clarified are the payment structure of a deal believed to be in the region of €30 million.

Merino has been pushing for the move and Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil has confirmed that he is in talks with a club, using the opportunity to thank him for his contributions in San Sebastian.

“At the moment, we are where we are and I’m leaving out Merino [against Rayo Vallecano] and Carlos [Fernandez] because both have open conversations with other clubs and we’ll see what happens.”

“I have to thank both of them, as a person, and also as a club, for everything they have given us. I have classified Mikel as the best player in LaLiga, you can imagine what that means and…imagine what the team loses.”

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer news

Gyokeres hope?

Arsenal remain interested in Viktor Gyokeres, though there remains a gap between what they are prepared to pay and what Sporting CP want for the Swede. FootballTransfers understands that it is no longer necessary to pay his €100m release clause, but the Lisbon side still want at least €70m.

The Gunners have so far refrained from making a move, but Sporting coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that Portuguese clubs rely on major sales to run smoothly and that ‘anything can happen’ between now and Deadline Day.

“I’ve already said: we can’t control this. If a player who had a big impact last season leaves, it would mean a lot of money coming in. This is part of the way Portuguese clubs keep their teams competitive. I’m not worried at all.”

“We’ll see what happens. If they leave, it’s a sign that a lot of money is coming in. We already know how to deal with this anxiety. Until the market closes, anything can happen.”

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Kiwior axed

Mikel Arteta omitted Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Wolves as a ‘technical decision.’ The Pole was fit to play but was not involved as his future remains uncertain.

The signing of Riccardo Calafiori and the desire for further additions are forcing Arsenal to sell players and Kiwior appears to have been earmarked as a defender who ought to leave.

According to Fabrizio Romano, clubs are interested but an exit is not imminent as there are no advanced negotiations taking place at this stage.

Partey to leave

FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal that Arsenal will not hand Thomas Partey a new contract. The Ghanaian midfielder will depart the club next summer when his current terms expire.

His age, significant wage and injury history mean that the Gunners will not sit down with him to negotiate fresh terms. With Merino on his way to north London, Partey is expected to lose his place in the side, with Declan Rice moving to the No.6 and the new recruit playing as a No.8.