It's shaping up to be a blockbuster final month of the transfer window for Arsenal, who have their eye on several high-profile transfers
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has some good news for Arsenal fans(Image: Getty Images)
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It's been something of a slow summer for Arsenal in the transfer market - but that could be about to change. The Gunners have taken a measured approach to their business so far, with Christos Tzolis their only major arrival after completing a £34million deal to sign the Greek winger from Club Brugge last month.
Piero Hincapie's loan switch from Bayer Leverkusen has also been made permanent after Arsenal triggered the defender's £34.5m buy clause, while goalkeeper Illan Meslier arrived on a free transfer following the expiry of his Leeds contract. Even so, Mikel Arteta's side are still waiting to make the kind of statement signing many supporters expected ahead of their first Premier League title defence in more than 20 years.
That could soon change. Arsenal are in advanced talks over a move for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and continue to be heavily linked with a blockbuster swoop for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr - a prospect that has understandably sent excitement levels soaring among the Emirates faithful.
But as talks continue behind the scenes, fresh developments have emerged. With that in mind, here are the latest Arsenal-related transfer headlines.
Real Madrid issue Vinicius Jr update
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Vinicius Jr will return to training with the rest of the squad on Monday despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
The Brazilian forward remains locked in a contract stand-off with the Spanish giants and, with less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, pressure is continuing to build on both sides.
Arsenal are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to offer Vinicius Jr a route out of the Bernabeu should talks collapse. However, the 26-year-old does not appear set to take any drastic action to force a move.
Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr is out of contract next summer and Arsenal are looking to take advantage(Image: Getty Images)
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"On Monday, Vini Jr, Brahim, and Bernardo will arrive," Mourinho told Real Madrid's official website. "I'm concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. It's not possible."
Talks over a new contract remain ongoing, with both parties still hoping to reach an agreement. However, negotiations appear to be at an impasse and if the deadlock continues, Arsenal will be ready to pounce.
Arteta drops major transfer hint
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal are preparing for a busy end to the transfer window, revealing the club have "very ambitious" plans and telling supporters to "expect movements" over the coming weeks.
The Gunners have been slow out of the blocks in the transfer market this summer, with the rest of the 'Big Six' spending nearly £850m between them on new players. But that looks set to change, with Arteta insisting that the club will not "sit still" for much longer.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at Hotel Camiral de Caldes de Malavella.
Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal will be busy in the transfer market in the coming weeks(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"We are already active and trying to improve on and evolve the team. That is clear," he said. "We expect to have movements in the next few weeks. Obviously we want to get better like anyone else and you can see the transfer market, and our opponents, what we are doing. We won't sit still and we are very ambitious with where we want to go."
Arteta refused to be drawn on reports linking Arsenal with a sensational move for Vinicius Jr, instead responding with a wry smile and a simple "thank you" when asked about the Real Madrid forward.
The Spaniard also stressed the importance of strengthening his squad to raise standards across the board, explaining that Arsenal are looking to add greater competition for places while addressing any remaining weaknesses before the new campaign begins.
"The margins are very small, we want to get better and the level is going to increase," he said. "We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team, to have bigger margins. That's the way we have to think."
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