Mikel Arteta is expected to oversee a mass clear-out of his Arsenal playing staff, with a number of key players either up for sale or already departed in Matteo Guendouzi’s case.
The Gunners manager is looking to strengthen his playing options to bounce back from a dismal first full season at the helm, overseeing a second successive eighth-placed finish.
Arsenal are suffering somewhat of a midfield exodus as Real Madrid loan duo Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard have returned to their parent club, while Granit Xhaka’s move to AS Roma grows closer by the day.
Guendouzi has already announced his exit from the Gunners, though there has been no official confirmation from the club, the Frenchman is expected to be confirmed as a Marseille player in the coming days.
According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Arteta is willing to let a further three stars leave North London in the form of Alexandre Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson.
Lacazette is the most established of the trio, and the France international is rapidly approaching the final 12 months of his contract but will be allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2022 if no suitable offers come in for him during this transfer window.
Seeing Lacazette leave on a free would represent his hit and miss time at the Emirates, Arsenal parting ways with £52m for the striker four years ago.
The 30-year-old boasts a staggering wage of £180,000-a-week, Arsenal are desperate to get him off the books and free up space on the wage bill for new additions.
This summer could also mark the end for two Hale End academy graduates as both Nelson and Maitland-Niles will be allowed to leave should an offer come in.
A fellow academy star, Joe Willock enjoyed a stunning stint on loan at Newcastle during the second half of last term, breaking a number of Premier League records while donning the famous black and white shirt.
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The 21-year-old bagged eight goals in 14 games in his six-month spell at St James Park, scoring in all of the last six league matches for the Magpies.
As a result, Willock may have played his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans for next season.
Alternatively, if a club were to pry Willock away from the Emirates they would have to cough up quite the fee, while the likes of Lacazette, Nelson and Maitland-Niles will be permitted to leave for far less.
