Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was unsurprisingly asked about transfers in his press conference with new updates given on Julian Alvarez and Gabriel Martinelli
Mikel Arteta delivered three Arsenal transfer verdicts in his pre-Aston Villa press conference
Mikel Arteta delivered three Arsenal transfer verdicts in his pre-Aston Villa press conference(Image: (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))
View 2 Images
Mikel Arteta has again refused to comment on Arsenal transfer links to Julian Alvarez while also providing updates on potential exits for Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. Less than one week of the summer window remains with a handful of deals expected to ramp up.
The big one for Arsenal surrounds Atletico Madrid star Alvarez as they look to sign an attacker. On the former Manchester City star, Arteta said : "Don't go there. I'm not going to make comments about players from other clubs."
When asked specifically about reports in Spain that he tried to call the striker but he did not pick up, the Arsenal boss said: "You know I'm not going to make comments on that publicly because that what be doing a different job."
Content Image
Content Image
Barcelona seemingly remain as the 26-year-old's dream club but a new Atleti statement has reiterated their stance of having no plans to sell to Barca which gives Arsenal some transfer hope.
In addition to Alvarez possibly coming in, departures are expected to go through with Gabriel Jesus likely to leave and Gabriel Martinelli on the verge of a record move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
On the former, who has been linked with a move to Napoli, not being in training, Arteta admitted: "It's something to do with the numbers that we have in the squad. Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it's clear."
Martinelli has been in the sessions but is not expected to be an Arsenal player heading into September with Arteta offering a candid update on his situation.
He said: "It's another personal situation that we are dealing with, I think everyone knows and recognises, whatever the outcome it is, it's because everyone has agreed to that."
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli is set to join Al Hilal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Arsenal's ambitious move for Vinicius Junior first alerted Galatasaray to Martinelli's potential availability. He rejected a move to the Turkish champions but was far more open to joining Al Hilal.
Talks over a permanent transfer later followed with Arsenal set to receive in the region of £50m with around £5-6m in add-ons, football.london understands. That fee blows the club's record sale of £35m for Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain's move to Liverpool out of the water.
And Martinelli is not the only attacker facing an exit with Ethan Nwaneri expected to head out on loan again. Arteta revealed there was no new update on his future but he continues to be linked with Premier League clubs, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.