Arsenal could SELL Thomas Partey follwing the arrival of Mikel Merino, it's been claimed.
The Gunners snapped up the Spain international from Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
And Football Transfers claim the Euro 2024 winner has been signed as an immediate starter and that the North Londoners will look to offload Partey before the window closes on Friday.
The Euro 2024 winner has made a frank promise to Gunners fans after his August arrival at the Emirates.
He said: “I think that’s a big part of my game and that shows the character that I have.
"I want to fight for every ball and this is something that I learnt when I was really young.
"Maybe you can win it, or you won’t. I’m not promising I will win every duel, but what I can promise is that I will fight for every ball with 100 per cent.
“It’s always tough to talk about myself in those kinds of terms, but I think I’m a hard worker, I want to call myself a good teammate.
"I like to work for the team with or without the ball. I’m always thinking about the collective aspect of the game. I like to play with the ball, I have a Spanish culture of football.”
Arsenal's sporting director said of the club's new midfielder: “We are so happy to have completed the transfer of Mikel Merino.
This has been another great team effort from many people at the club to finalise the transfer of a player who attracted interest from a number of clubs over the summer.
“Mikel was a key target for us this summer, and we identified him as a player who can fit perfectly into our squad and profile to improve us, as we aim to build on our strong performances of last season.
"With Mikel’s arrival, he brings us an added high quality of experience, physicality and athleticism as we look forward to this season ahead.
“We welcome Mikel and his family to the club, and look forward to seeing him play in the Arsenal shirt.”
One shock solution to the striker crisis has emerged this morning with the Gunners being linked with Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan, 25, had been a target for the Gunners before he moved to Liverpool in 2022 and reports claim they could be taking another look now.
Nunez has become a divisive figure at Anfield, credited for his incredible work rate and team play but also derided for missing a huge amount of chances.
He was the Reds' record signing and has scored 33 goals in all competitions in two seasons - but has missed 47 'big chances' in his two seasons (only Erling Haaland has more, but has also scored 43 more Prem goals) and hit the woodwork an incredible 14 times, four more than any other player.
With Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah on the brink of moving to Crystal Palace, Arsenal could enter the weekend with a lack of forward options.
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have all played centrally under Mikel Artera, but the feeling is the Gunners will bring in another forward by the deadline.
Nico Williams, who prefers to play on the wing, is one such option but Arsenal may also want an outright No 9.