--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-08-25T00:56:30.245Z last_updated: 2026-08-24T03:30:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/arsenal/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZm9vdGJhbGwubG9uZG9uL2Fyc2VuYWwtZmMvdHJhbnNmZXItbmV3cy9hcnNlbmFsLXRyYW5zZmVycy1qdWxpYW4tYWx2YXJlei1tYXJ0aW5lbGxpLTM0NTA0MjA5 --- # 7 transfers Arsenal can seal this week as deadwood make way for £130m superstar - **Source:** - **Published:** 24 Aug - **Club:** Arsenal - **Original URL:** https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-transfers-julian-alvarez-martinelli-34504209 The Gunners began the 2026/27 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Manchester City - arguably their biggest domestic rivals this term - in the Community Shield. They followed it up by blowing away newly-promoted Coventry City in their Premier League opener last Friday, where they also sealed a 3-0 win. It appears Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have done a stellar job in terms of bolstering the squad this summer, bringing in Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa for a combined total of £200million. Yet, there is still plenty more transfer activity expected in N5 before the window shuts on September 1, with several players surplus to requirements and expected to depart. football.london now takes a look at who those exits are likely to be and two signings Arteta could welcome at London Colney in the next week. It is no secret that Arteta wants one new superstar forward before the window closes - as has been the case for the entire summer. Berta fell short in his pursuit of both Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior earlier in the window, but Julian Alvarez has remained ever-present as one of Arsenal’s top transfer priorities. The former Manchester City forward has made his desperation to leave Atletico Madrid clear this summer. While Alvarez’s preference has always been to join Barcelona, Atletico have repeatedly insisted they will not sell their talisman to a La Liga rival. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page Arsenal are therefore ready to pounce if the Argentine decides to give up on his Barca dream and opt for a return to England. Alvarez was included in Atletico’s squad to face Villarreal on Sunday but the Standard reports that his stand-off with the club is beginning to turn sour as he continues to push for a move away. If he continues to agitate for a move, Arsenal would be his most likely destination. There are conflicting reports over whether Arsenal appeals enough to Alvarez for him to force through a move to anywhere but Barcelona. According to Spanish publication AS, Alvarez has been in contact with Arteta and Berta, having come round to the idea of joining the Gunners. But other outlets state the player has no interest in returning to the Premier League. Should Alvarez decide that Arsenal are his preferred destination for the new season, the biggest hurdle would have been overcome. Alvarez is reportedly valued at around £130m, which the north Londoners are prepared to shell out as the World Cup star represents a truly marquee addition. Arsenal’s biggest high-profile departure of the summer could be Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian winger has lost his place in the starting line-up to new arrival Tzolis, and his absence from Arteta’s first two matchday squads of the season suggests he is no longer part of the Spaniard’s plans. The Gunners have already rejected a bid from Galatasaray recently which fell below their valuation of the player, but are still open to offers. Amid interest from Turkey and the Saudi Pro League, Martinelli prefers to stay at the Emirates Stadium this season. Given Arsenal want to cash in on the player, they may continue to leave him out of matchday squads in an effort to force him to accept his fate. If any improved offers come in for the 25-year-old between now and September 1, all parties might agree that his departure is the best option. All the best news, features, updates and analysis from Tom Canton and more straight to your Inbox! Yours in just two simple steps. Gabriel Jesus is another player who has fallen out of favour with Arteta. The Brazilian’s time in north London has been blighted by injuries despite a stellar start to his Gunners career four years ago. Like his compatriot Martinelli, Jesus has also been listed for sale but prefers to stay at Arsenal. The likes of Everton and Ipswich Town are interested in the forward. But given the club’s profile, Napoli are understood to be his most likely destination as it stands, should the 29-year-old come to terms with the fact that it is time to move on. Napoli have enquired about a potential deal but the separation until now has been the Brazilian’s salary expectations. The north Londoners have set a modest price tag of £20m for the forward, meaning Jesus’ move to the Serie A giants is realistic if he reduces his wage demands in favour of playing regular first team football. This is one player no Arsenal fan wants to see leave. However, both Arteta and the club are in agreement that Ethan Nwaneri needs regular game time to continue his development, and they are willing to part ways with the promising midfielder. Arsenal’s preference is for Nwaneri to go out on loan but a big offer - which would likely break the club’s record for sales - would be accepted. The 19-year-old himself is desperate for more game time this season, with the likes of AC Milan, Galatasaray and other Premier League clubs interested in giving him just that. A player Arsenal have been unable to move on for several years is Hale End graduate Reiss Nelson. Nelson, 26, spent the last two seasons out on loan at Fulham and Brentford and is not in the manager’s plans for this season. Perhaps tellingly, he didn’t feature in Arsenal’s Premier League photocall despite being present at their training ground last week. Both a loan and a permanent departure are being discussed as he has now entered the last year of his contract at the Emirates. While rumours regarding his £3m move to West Ham have quietened down in recent days, there is a possibility that the deal could still be completed. The Hammers and Arsenal have been in discussions over a possible move, with talks focusing on the structure of a deal, after Nuno Espirito Santo called on the club to improve his attacking options. Fabio Vieira’s long-awaited saga continues to rumble on amid interest from Hamburger SV. The 26-year-old spent last season out on loan but the German side did not activate the £19m purchase option included in the deal. Both Hamburg and Vieira are keen for an agreement to be struck following his successful season in the Bundesliga last term. But Arsenal are not willing to accept a single-digit sum for the playmaker and are yet to reach a resolution over the player’s value. Nevertheless, Sky Sport Germany reported last Thursday that the deal is still ‘on’. At this point, Berta should cut his losses and accept any bid Hamburg submit, as Vieira’s contract expires in 2027 and they will not be able to receive any money for him come next summer. The forward, 18, turned down the offer to sign a professional contract at Blackburn. Rovers rejected a £1m offer from Arsenal in January but he looks set to finally join following a £2m bid. This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.