Arsenal are set to be busy today and as we told you yesterday, the club could have up to 5 deals completed.
The focus for the club today is getting players out the door as they look to trim the squad down to a manageable level. As of 1 pm today though, it seems one deal is off. Ainsley Maitland-Niles looked likely to join Southampton but several journalists are now suggesting the deal is off and Southampton will pursue other targets. There is other interest in the player though, so don’t completely write off him leaving today, yet. West Brom are now frontrunners to sign him on loan, according to The Mirror.
Update: Ainsley Maitland-Niles set to join West Brom
A deal that is almost certain to be completed though, is one that will see Shkodran Mustafi leave to join Schalke on a 6-month permanent deal, with the Gunners set to receive €2million for the deal. Mustafi will join Sead Kolasinac at the German club, with the Bosnian joining Schalke on loan earlier this month. The news of Mustafi’s departure is being covered across Germany and England but reliable journalist Freddie Paxton is one of many to tweet about the deal this afternoon.
Joe Willock is set to join Newcastle on loan today. Arsenal are likely to be busy with up to 5 deals being completed. Read more on our website: https://t.co/EfeIIJoWsG #AFC pic.twitter.com/CqA6tv62Rr
— Fresh Arsenal (@Fresh_Arsenal) February 1, 2021
The other deal set to be completed is Joe Willock to Newcastle, on loan. A club insider told Fresh Arsenal last week that Willock would be available for loan, as the arrival of Martin Odegaard has only pushed him further down the pecking order. The reliable James Benge has today reported that Newcastle are closing in on a loan move for him. An option to buy is extremely unlikely, but the club may well be willing to listen to offers for him in the summer.
In terms of incomings, Arsenal could sign a left-back today, but that is only likely if Maitland-Niles secures a move away. Stay close to our website today and follow us on Twitter for the latest breaking transfer news.