REVEALED: Arsenal's next transfer PRIORITY after Raya signing

Tom Weber

Updated: 9 Aug 2023 09:34 BST
5 min read

Arsenal will prioritise sales after the signing of David Raya, with as many as seven players to be axed, according to a report.

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The Gunners were very busy indeed in the early stages of the transfer window, splashing the cash on Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice in what amounted to a spending spree of €230 million. Still, though, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are not done there in their bid to build a squad that can go one better this season and actually win the Premier League title.

On Tuesday night (August 8), news broke that the Gunners had struck an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of goalkeeper David Raya, to be brought in to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale. This deal will set them back another £30m and although they reportedly don't have to worry about Financial Fair Play regulations, there is some deadwood in the squad that needs to be offloaded before the end of the window.

MORE: Transfer News Today: Arsenal DONE DEAL, Man Utd's TWO priorities, Chelsea sign WONDERKID

In fact, there are several players who believe their time in north London must come to an end and Arsenal won't stand in their way - for the right price.

Seven to be axed

Also on Tuesday, The Telegraph reported the surprising news that left-back Kieran Tierney has become a target for Real Sociedad. The Basque outfit are trying to sign Premier League outcasts like the Scot and Manchester United's Donny van de Beek on loan ahead of their Champions League campaign.

Tierney has also been courted by several Premier League sides like Newcastle, Aston Villa and even Manchester City. Folarin Balogun, meanwhile, has reportedly agreed personal terms with Monaco, though their first bid was knocked back by Arsenal, with Inter also making their interest public on Tuesday.

READ: Inter Milan demand 'discount' on Arsenal academy star

American goalkeeper Matt Turner is on the verge of sealing a move to Nottingham Forest, while erstwhile record signing Nicolas Pepe could see his contract terminated to allow him to pursue a move to Besiktas.

Nuno Tavares, Charlie Patino and Albert Sambi Lokonga are also expected to depart before the end of the summer window, though it is unlikely that all of them will make a permanent exit.