**Arsenal head into transfer deadline day with two possible attacking arrivals and three major exits still shaping Mikel Arteta’s squad before the window closes at 11pm BST on Tuesday.**
The Gunners are exploring a late move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana while continuing their ambitious attempt to persuade Julian Alvarez to leave Atletico Madrid.
At the same time, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira are all heading towards permanent exits in deals worth more than £70million combined.
Here are the five Arsenal transfers to watch throughout deadline day.
Fofana has emerged as Arsenal’s most realistic late attacking target.
The 21-year-old Lyon winger has already spoken with Arteta, while Arsenal have made contact with both his representatives and Lyon over a possible deal.
Reports suggest Lyon are prepared to discuss a package worth around **€40m (£34m)** and Fofana is interested in moving to north London.
Read Arsenal has more on Arsenal’s late move for Malick Fofana.
The situation could develop quickly if Arsenal decide to turn their interest into a formal agreement.
With Martinelli leaving and Leandro Trossard already gone, another natural option from the left would give Arteta greater depth despite the summer arrival of Christos Tzolis.
**Current status:** 🟡 **LIVE**
Alvarez remains the dream deal.
Arsenal have been trying to convince the former Manchester City forward to return to England, with Arteta personally involved in the attempt.
The problem is Alvarez’s preference.
The Argentina international remains focused on a potential move to Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid have been reluctant to sell one of their leading players to a domestic rival.
Arsenal nevertheless have significant funds available after agreeing several late departures.
We reported on Sunday that [Arteta had made a personal Julian Alvarez plea](https://readarsenal.com/2026/08/31/arsenal-refuse-to-give-up-as-arteta-makes-personal-julian-alvarez-plea/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Unless Alvarez changes his stance, however, this remains a far more difficult deal than Fofana.
**Current status:** 🟠 **DIFFICULT BUT NOT DEAD**
Martinelli is expected to complete his departure from Arsenal after a deal was agreed with Al-Hilal.
The Brazilian is set to leave for around **£56m**, bringing an end to a seven-year spell in north London.
Arsenal had previously [agreed the framework of Martinelli’s Al-Hilal transfer](https://readarsenal.com/2026/08/30/arsenal-agree-65m-gabriel-martinelli-sale-as-al-hilal-move-sealed/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
His exit is one of the reasons Arsenal have moved for another left-sided attacker before the deadline.
The key thing to watch on Tuesday is official confirmation rather than another change in negotiations.
**Current status:** 🟢 **EXPECTED TO GO THROUGH**
Jesus is also heading out.
Barcelona have agreed a deal worth around **£8.6m** for the 29-year-old as Arsenal continue a major overhaul of their forward line.
The move would leave Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres among Arteta’s central attacking options while freeing another senior squad place.
For Arsenal, the modest fee is less important than moving on a player who no longer appears central to the club’s long-term plans.
**Current status:** 🟢 **EXPECTED TO GO THROUGH**
Vieira is the third Arsenal player expected to leave permanently.
The Portuguese midfielder is poised to join Hamburg after returning from his previous loan spell.
His departure, alongside those of Martinelli and Jesus, takes Arsenal’s expected late-window sales beyond **£70m combined**.
Vieira’s route into Arteta’s midfield had become increasingly difficult after Arsenal strengthened heavily in that area.
Deadline day should now be about completing the paperwork.
**Current status:** 🟢 **EXPECTED TO GO THROUGH**
One player who can effectively be removed from Arsenal’s list is Iliman Ndiaye.
Arsenal made a late attempt to enter the race for the Everton forward after Tottenham had advanced negotiations.
Manchester City then moved ahead of both clubs and agreed a deal worth up to £65m.
Read Arsenal has covered how Arsenal are set to miss out on Ndiaye after Manchester City’s move.
That development increases the importance of Arsenal’s Fofana talks if Arteta still wants another attacker.
The main question is now whether Arsenal replace Martinelli directly.
Arteta already has considerably more attacking depth than last season, but the exits of Martinelli and Jesus would remove two experienced forwards in the space of a day.
Fofana represents the realistic opportunity.
Alvarez represents the potential blockbuster.
Arsenal do not need to force either deal simply because the window is closing, particularly after already spending heavily this summer.
But if Lyon’s valuation stays around €40m and Fofana wants the move, there is a clear route to another addition.
The **2026 summer transfer window closes at 11pm BST on Tuesday, 1 September** for Premier League clubs.
Clubs can potentially use a deal sheet to obtain additional time to complete documentation where an agreement has been reached before the deadline.
That leaves Arsenal with one final day to complete their attacking reshuffle.
Player
Direction
Status
Malick Fofana
Lyon → Arsenal
🟡 Talks
Julian Alvarez
Atletico Madrid → Arsenal
🟠 Difficult
Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal → Al-Hilal
🟢 Expected
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal → Barcelona
🟢 Expected
Fabio Vieira
Arsenal → Hamburg
🟢 Expected
Iliman Ndiaye
Everton → elsewhere
🔴 Arsenal out
Ethan Nwaneri
Arsenal → Dortmund
✅ DONE DEAL