According to reports, Arsenal are looking to offload three senior players – Willian, Lucas Torreira, and Hector Bellerin, before the transfer window closes on August 31. They have reportedly failed to make the cut for Arteta’s plans and have been transfer-listed by the club.
A quick glance at Arsenal’s first-team squad tells you all you need to know about what Arteta’s tricky reds might have in store for their fans this season. It’s clearly visible what their priority is and which players they want before the transfer window closes.
While the arrival of Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga might have stolen the limelight, it is clear that Arsenal need to make player sales to sustain itself. While striking players off their books have not been a strong point for the Gunners, it is evident that their squad needs trimming. Offloading Bellerin, Torreira and Willian might be better for the club and the players themselves.
Hector Bellerin is one of the players that has been transfer-listed after the Spaniard notified the club of his wish to leave. The right-back was strongly linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Inter Milan earlier this summer, but each club has solidified its respective positions. The 26-year-old full back’s best hope for a transfer would now be a move to Atletico Madrid – a swap deal involving their star Kieran Trippier.
Lucas Torreira is another player who has fallen out of favour as Arteta has excluded the midfielder from his plans at Arsenal. The Uruguayan spent last year on loan with Atletico Madrid but failed to make an impression on Simeone, making only 3 starts in 19 appearances.
Now, according to Sky Sports, the 25-year-old is close to joining Serie A club Fiorentina on loan. The deal will include an option to buy for £12.8. Bundesliga club Frankfurt were also interested, but the player prefered a return to Italy.
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The third player on this list is Willian. The Brazilian joined Arteta’s team from Chelsea on a free transfer last summer, but he underperformed and has been transfer-listed by the club as the manager sees him nowhere near his future plans.
Arsenal are still hopeful to find a solution for Willian. He wants to leave the club since May – Arsenal are looking for bids for Willian, Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira. 🔴 #AFC
Al-Ahli links for Willian were completely fake – never started any negotiation. https://t.co/syoUu8ec5e
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 19, 2021
The 33-year-old winger was linked with top Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli, but Fabrizio Romano dismissed all those reports as ‘completely fake’. Willan’s mammoth £220,000-a-week wages is an issue that is hindering other clubs to make a move. The age factor and his wages do not go hand-in-hand and are putting off approaches from interested parties.
The presence of “young blood” in Arteta’s squad – Balogun, Saka, Martinelli, and Smith Rowe, seem to have played a crucial part in Willian’s exclusion. It seems more likely that Arteta will try to trim down his squad before any more possible incomings. He said:
“There’s still 11 days to go and there’s still things to be done. There are still players in the squad where it’s going to be difficult for them to find game time.”
“It does (bring pressure). We will see what we will finish. We’re gonna have I think seven players have left the club and five are coming in so it’s not more players coming in. We’re going to do it in the right way so that we are stable.”
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Arteta’s man-management can hardly be questioned now, given the fact that he is making moves in the right direction. He wants to offload Bellerin, Torreira and Willian, who all have been unimpressive and under-performing and bring in young players with great potential. His rebuild seems to be focused on a young squad – a squad full of hunger and passion.
Stay tuned to get more updates on Arsenal transfers.
