Arsenal set to profit from Wenger transfer blunder as Xhaka exit ‘one step away’

Arsenal are looking to bounce back from a bitterly disappointing first full season under manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners finished eighth in the Premier League, failing to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years.

As a result, Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad and have already signed left-back Nuno Tavares from Benfica and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht.

Brighton defender Ben White looks as though he will be the Gunners third signing of the summer and others are expected to follow.

Several players have also left the club, with Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba both joining Marseille on loan, David Luiz leaving on a free transfer and Konstantinos Mavropanos extending his loan spell at Stuttgart.

Here is Saturday's transfer news coming out of the Emirates.

Granit Xhaka exit 'one step away'

Jose Mourinho is closing in on his main transfer target at Roma with a £17m deal for Arsenal ’s Granit Xhaka reportedly on the verge of completion.

The Swiss midfielder, 28, has been on Mourinho’s summer wish list ever since he was announced as Roma’s new head coach back in May.

The Portuguese boss knows Xhaka well from his time in the Premier League – and he looks to have persuaded the Gunners' midfielder to follow him in making the switch to Italy.

The deal has been mooted all summer but now, according to Calciomercato, the long-running saga is finally nearing completion after Roma agreed to meet Arsenal’s £17m asking price.

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Arsenal are willing to sanction the departure of their former captain to enable them to get on with their own squad rebuild.

Gunners set to profit from Wenger blunder

Arsenal are set to land just £250,000 when Donyell Malen completes his big money move to Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.

Malen signed for Arsenal aged just 17 in 2015, leaving his boyhood team Ajax in the process.

However, Malen failed to make a single senior appearance under the Frenchman, despite registering 27 goals or assists in just 58 appearances for the development sides.

The Holland international has excelled since joining PSV, and scored 27 times in all competitions last season, prompting a big money move to the Bundesliga.

Borussia Dortmund have now agreed a fee in the region of £25m.

Football.London report that as per UEFA rules Ajax will receive 1.5 percent of that fee, while Arsenal will see 1 percent in a solidarity payment.

William Saliba's reaction to Arteta decision

William Saliba is over the moon for Emile Smith Rowe after committing his future to Arsenal.

The young plamyaker penned a long-term deal at the Emirates until 2023 as Mike Arteta looks to build his team around the midfielder moving forward.

The 20-year-old reacted to his decision on Instagram by announcing that he will be wearing the no.10 jersey this season for the Premier League side.

He said: "New season. New contract. New number."

His Arsenal teammates were delighted for him including Saliba who joined Marseille on a season-long loan earlier this week.

The defender commented on Smith Rowe's post passing on his congratulations to him.

He replied: "So happy for you bro."

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