Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal are ‘really moving forward’ with regard to a number of impending summer exits at the club.
Earlier this week, the Gunners announced that Nicolas Pepe would be leaving the club for one year as he joined Nice on loan for the season.
On top of that, it now seems as though Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin could be set to follow the Ivorian out the door in the near future too.
Indeed, while speaking about the Pepe deal (that had not officially been confirmed at time of speaking), Watts outlined his understanding of the situation for the unwanted Arsenal players.
Talking on his YouTube channel, he said (2:08): “In terms of outgoings, we are really moving forward now. We’ve seen lots of work already this window in terms of trimming the squad and there’s about sort of three players left now, who between now and transfer deadline day, do expect to leave the club.
“In terms of Nicolas Pepe that one is now very very close to happening. The deal has been agreed with Nice.” Which has since happened.
He then added (03:56): “And then it’s all about Ainsley Maitland Niles and Hector Bellerin after that. The two more players who Arsenal are looking to get out the door.”
Are you happy with all the outgoings at Arsenal this summer?
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TIF thoughts on the outgoings at Arsenal…
Already this summer, the Gunners have managed to offload the likes of Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Alexandre Lacazette, Nuno Tavares, and Pablo Mari (with some sold and others loaned).
This has freed up the money to bring in key new transfers such as Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. But the club will likely want more deals, especially amid high-profile links to winger Pedro Neto.
Having now got Pepe out the door too, this certainly should create space in the squad for the Wolves man to come in. However, with UEFA and Financial Fair Play snooping around Arsenal and their finances, more exits may be needed first.
With that in mind, fans will no doubt be delighted to hear the likes of Maitland-Niles and Bellerin could soon be on their way out too.