Arsenal are gearing up for the new season as Mikel Arteta's side step up their preparations ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with a number of players linked with exits
Alan Smith Football News Reporter and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter
13:06, 03 Aug 2025Updated 13:06, 03 Aug 2025
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make
Arsenal have returned to London after their pre-season tour of Asia, with Mikel Arteta's revamped squad now gearing up for a friendly against Villarreal at the Emirates on Wednesday evening.
With just two weeks left before they kick off their Premier League season with a clash against Manchester United, Arsenal are still rumoured to be eyeing a deal for Crystal Palace and England ace Eberechi Eze.
However, this might necessitate a few departures from the club, and chatter suggests that five first-team players could potentially be shown the door.
Here are the transfer stories from around the Emirates to keep tabs on.
Five potential exits
Mikel Arteta during an Arsenal training session
Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Mikel Arteta might wave goodbye to five of his players before the transfer window shuts. Reiss Nelson is the most likely to pack his bags, with Fulham reportedly keen on him, and his exit would shave £100,000 per week off the Gunners' wage bill.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko, who pockets £150,000, is also on the market, while Fabio Vieira, despite being low in the pecking order, has piqued West Ham's interest. Albert Sambi Lokonga is another who's been given the green light to go, reports the Mirror.
Then there's Leandro Trossard, whom Arsenal are keen to tie down with a new contract but is also on Borussia Dortmund's radar.
Eberechi Eze update
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze has been linked to Arsenal this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Eberechi Eze is still on the cards as a potential signing before the transfer window slams shut, but there's a significant stumbling block - the asking price.
BBC Sport has revealed that Arsenal have "shown no inclination of triggering the forward's release fee", with the Gunners keen to offload before they bring in any fresh faces. The report suggests that Arsenal reckon Eze is worth less than £68m and "want to negotiate a deal beneath the agreement."
Palace have so far dug their heels in over lowering the price, but it's rumoured this stance might shift later in the transfer window.
Viktor Gyokeres' respect
Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres takes part in a training session at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 30, 2025, ahead of a friendly exhibition football match against Tottenham Hotspur which will be played on July 31.
Viktor Gyokeres moved to Arsenal this summer(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres has chosen not to join his agent in slamming former club Sporting CP over the handling of his summer transfer. The 27 year old's move to the Premier League was drawn out until last week, amid disputes over a gentleman's agreement and a hefty fine being slapped on.
With an impressive tally of 97 goals in 104 appearances for Sporting, Gyokeres was always tipped for a big move this window. He signed for the Gunners last weekend for a fee potentially hitting £63.7million, despite also being wooed by Manchester United, who he decided to turn down.
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"I don't need to throw mud at anyone," started the Swede, who made his debut for the Gunners against arch-rivals Tottenham on Thursday in Hong Kong. "I don't need to say what others have done or decided.
"I don't do that, even though there are people who seem to need to tell others how to behave. I'm not like that. As a footballer, you always strive to reach the top. I felt ready to take the next step, and I believe many people at the club expected that before the season ended."