Arsenal transfer news and rumours live: Aouar admission, Guendouzi talks, Partey decision

Just five days remain in the summer transfer window and Arsenal are feeling the rush.

The Gunners have already snapped up the likes of Willian, Gabriel Magalhaes and Dani Ceballos in this window, but they are not done.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to improve his midfield and Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey have been targeted.

But bids for both players have come up short so far and it's a question of time and money now as Arsenal attempt to raise the funds needed in time to get one of those players through the door.

Departures will, of course, help and Lucas Torreira looks the most likely to depart, with Matteo Guendouzi and Sokratis tipped to depart.

It's set to be a busy finale to the transfer window as the Gunners race to complete their squad.

Join us below on our live blog for all the latest updates. Stick around to keep up to date or check back as you set about your Wednesday.

Aulas admission

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted that his side could lose two more players before the summer transfer window closes.

Could Houssem Aouar be one?

Atletico Madrid make Thomas Partey decision

Thomas Partey is in the Atletico Madrid starting line-up against Huesca this evening.

And some Arsenal fans are not happy.

Arsenal post £380m transfer deficit

Arsenal have spent nearly £400m on transfers over the past decade.

However, that pales into comparison to the two Manchester clubs who have each passed more than £800m.

Arsenal have spent nearly £400m on transfers over the past decade.

That pales into comparison, however, with the two Manchester clubs who each passed more than £800m.

The net transfer spending of both City and United is more than double any other English side over the last 10 years, while Brentford and Swansea are the savviest in the transfer market, according to new research.

While Man City’s net spend of £867m may have bankrolled league titles and domestic trebles, the study from Paddy Power found that their cross-town rivals have spent significantly more than several title-winners over the past decade.

The Red Devils have a total net spend of £814m – almost double that of third-highest spenders, Chelsea (£410m) – with current champions Liverpool spending £335m and 2015/16 title winners Leicester City spending just £141m.

Arsenal's spending comes in at £380m, meaning they are the fourth highest spenders in England.

Arsenal 'confident' of landing Aouar

Arsenal are reportedly preparing another bid for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.

ESPN claim the Gunners are 'confident' of getting the Aouar deal done before the end of the window on October 5.

It's reported that Arsenal are confident their next offer will be accepted and are preparing to submit it having turned attention solely to Aouar.

Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey has been strongly linked with the Gunners, but the report claims they have now decided on Aouar.

'Confirmation' of Guendouzi talks

Reports in France claim there is 'confirmation of contact' between Marseille and Arsenal over Matteo Guendouzi.

Though, TeleFoot, who have revealed that information, have said that a possible deal is 'complicated' at this stage.

Loan plans

The final days of the transfer window could see remarkable change to Arsenal's midfield.

Mikel Arteta wants to add at least one new midfielder to his squad and is preparing a new bid for Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar to add creativity to his midfield.

Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid is another target of Arsenal's but any additions need to go hand-in-hand with players departing a first-team squad that currently numbers 32.

There are several in Arteta's squad who the manager would be keen to see depart on a permanent basis. Talks are taking place over the sale of Sead Kolasinac to Bayer Leverkusen and Lucas Torreira to Atletico Madrid but Arsenal are also conscious that several of their brightest young prospects need game time that they cannot be guaranteed at the Emirates Stadium.

Among those is Reiss Nelson, whose representatives and Arsenal are working to secure a loan deal after the winger was left out of the squad for each of the first three Premier League games of the season.

Crystal Palace are among the clubs keen to secure Nelson's whilst Brighton and Hove Albion and Burnley have also been linked with the 20-year-old.

Kolasinac move close

It seems Sead Kolasinac is on his way to Bayer Leverkusen.

Talk surfaced yesterday of a £9million bid and rumour has it a deal is almost complete.

Arsenal fans are already saying their goodbyes on social media.

Marseille eye Guendouzi

Marseille are said to be interested in unwanted Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

Foot Mercato claim former Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas is targeting a loan move for Guendouzi who could be allowed to leave.

The question will be whether Arsenal will want a permanent move and a fee.

Arsenal urged to get Partey and Aouar deals done

Nigel Winterburn has urged Arsenal to continue their pursuit of Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar.

"Players like Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar are players that I’m pleased to see Arsenal linked with. They are different types of players that can bolster a midfield," Winterburn told Free Super Tips.

"I really like Partey because he is quick, solid and powerful off the ball as much as on it.

"There have been times in the past when Arsenal fail to break things down because of the pace of other teams on the counterattack, which is something that Partey could come in to do.

"He takes the ball in tight situations and has the power and the ability to go past the opposing midfield players.

"Once you start to eliminate in this way as Partey does, you tend to open space in and around the opposition’s defence.

"As always with Arsenal it takes a long time to get things done.

"We’re just going to have to again wait and see, but I don’t believe that Arsenal have the money to bring them both in.

"Also, when discussing ideal signings, we forget to consider whether those players want to join Arsenal, and that’s the most important thing.

"So, we’ve got to wait and see, but my preference of the two would be Thomas Partey."

Aouar boost

Aouar has been strongly linked with a move to north London in recent weeks and they appear to be edging ever closer to getting their man.

That's because his current club Lyon are closing in on his replacement - AC Milan's Lucas Paqueta.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano says Milan and Lyon have reached a deal for Paqueta and Arsenal could land Aouar by next week's deadline.

Paqueta is set to join Lyon on a five-year deal and is expected to sign a five-year deal with the Ligue 1 club.

Duo exit

Respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are willing to sell both Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac before the end of the transfer window next Monday.

Both players have been linked with departures this summer having fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates.

Fabrizio says that the Gunners are 'working to sell' midfielder Torreira to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Defender Kolasinac, meanwhile appears to be heading to Bayern Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

It is hoped should these deals go through, this would then provide Mikel Arteta with the funds to secure a deal for Lyon's Houssem Aouar.

Sokratis to Napoli update

Sokratis' departure to Napoli is getting closer.

Rai Sport journalist Ciro Venerato has said: “Satisfactory offers have not arrived for [Koulibaly].

"The club have locked Sokratis, but Nice also requested him. We will see what happens in the next few days.

"If Napoli sell Kalidou Koulibaly on October 4th, they can send a certified e-mail the morning of the 5th to Arsenal since everything is already done for the purchase of the Greek."