Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have signed Riccardo Calalfiori after weeks and weeks of negotiations with Bologna for the defender.
However, Arsenal are really making their fans wait to see any further additions brought in ahead of the deadline at the end of the month.
That could be set to change after Arsenal have finally made a bid for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino – albeit having been rejected already.
There could also be some player exits in north London but there is one player who Fabrizio Romano is not expecting to make way.
Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal gestures during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August ...
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder now expected to stay this summer
Change is expected to be made over the coming weeks at Arsenal with Merino a player clearly of interest to the Gunners.
Having lodged their first bid for the Spain international, Arsenal are seemingly expected to continue their interest in the player.
But Romano has claimed that does not mean one of their other midfielders – who has been linked with an exit – is set to leave over the final weeks of the window.
“As things stand, Thomas Partey is not looking close to leaving Arsenal. There are no substantial updates on the midfielder despite some rumours earlier in the window,” Romano said in his Daily Briefing.
“It’s been a quiet summer, I’m not hearing anything about him now. Let’s see if it changes but so far, no.”
Thomas Partey has been linked with a potential move to Galatasaray this summer with the Gunners potentially looking to move him on to facilitate an arrival.
Mikel Merino could force Thomas Partey out of the plans at Arsenal
It will be interesting to see how Merino’s expected arrival at the Emirates could potentially stir the pot in Arteta’s squad.
As things stand, Arsenal could probably do with Partey as a member of their squad given the busy schedule ahead of them across all fronts.
However, if the Spain international is to arrive, that could very easily make the ‘unbelievable‘ Partey the fourth choice in the middle of the park.
Of course, having options available would provide Arteta with seriously strong squad depth, but there are other factors to consider given his contractual status.
Partey only played 14 times in the Premier League last season and has just 12 months left on his deal, if Merino arrives then surely it would make sense for Arsenal to look to use their last opportunity to cash in on him.
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