Arsenal transfer news live - Smith Rowe decision, Holding medical, Pepe latest

TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSED!

That is the 11pm deadline! No more transfers.

Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured

What a summer its been at the Emirates with a club-record fee being spent.

Holding to Palace confirmed

HOLD THE BACK PAGE pic.twitter.com/uhHxV3Pege

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 1, 2023

Lokonga loan confirmed

Welcome, Albert Sambi Lokonga! #COYH pic.twitter.com/BkpnL4v91f

— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) September 1, 2023

Still no announcement on Holding

The deal that will take Rob Holding to Crystal Palace is still expected to go through.

Nothing yet, but all parties confident the move will get done.

Cancelo heads to Barca

Joao Cancelo, who was also linked with the Gunners, has completed his loan move to Barcelona according to reports.

He will spend another season away from Man City and be joined at the Nou Camp by Joao Felix.

Garcia to join Girona

Eric Garcia will leave Barcelona to join Girona, according to the Athletic.

The defender, who was linked with Arsenal, will head to the Spanish club on loan with Barcelona paying part of his salary.

Garcia told Xavi that he wanted to leave Barcelona in search of more minutes.

Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes

Goalkeeper set for Wrexham switch

Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is set to join Wrexham on a loan, as per the Athletic.

The 21-year-old is set to join Ryan Reynolds at the Racecourse Ground for the entirety of the season having spent last term at Crewe and Austrian side Sturm Graz.

ESR to stay, No Mudryk swap

Mikel Arteta has made it known that Emile Smith Rowe will not be leaving before deadline day.

"He has a role like everybody else does, which is to give his best to make the team better," said the Spaniard.

Smith Rowe had been linked with a sensational swap deal that would've seen Mudryk head to the Emirates, which almost happened back in January.

Arsenal stance clear

"I don’t expect anybody to come in," Arteta said in his press conference.

Arsenal have already spent big and won't be adding cover for Jurrien Timber, who is out injured for a lengthy period.

Luton look to add Lokonga

Luton Town have asked for Albert Sambi Lokonga on loan, club director Gary Sweet confirms to Sky. #AFC

Negotiations ongoing with player side as Arsenal happy to accept. pic.twitter.com/PLosRoNUE6

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2023

Holding medical ongoing

It looks like Arsenal will only be sanctioning departures, not arrivals, on deadline day.

Rob Holding is closing in on his move to Crystal Palace as the Eagles put him through his paces.

Arteta confirms Edu is still hard at work

The Arsenal boss doesn't seem to be the busy one - it is those above him.

He said earlier: "For me it's serene. I don’t have to do much work. Edu and the board are trying to finalise a few things."

Arteta urges Havertz "love"

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to show some “love” to Kai Havetz.

“It’s difficult to ask more of our supporters and our people, but my feeling is give him love and we’ll get the best out of him," he told reporters. “I think we have some very beautiful examples in the last years with players that we have given a lot of support and got behind them, and they have felt that love and they just exploded.

“I will stick to that because not everyone is going to be willing Arsenal to do well, but the ones that have their heart and soul in this club want the best for the club. So let’s do it because there’s a lot there for him to give us.”

Holding to have Palace medical

Rob Holding will undergo his Crystal Palace medical shortly after a £4 million fee was agreed.

According to the Athletic, the 27-year-old will sign a three-year deal once the medical is complete.

Hodgson speaks on Holding

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has stopped short of confirming an agreement to sign Rob Holding from Arsenal, but has spoken about the player to reporters.

“He is a player who has interested us for a while. Dougie Freedman knows him very well," he said. “If he was available and it’s a deal that is doable I’d be very happy to work with him. There is space in the 25-man squad for another player. If it could be Rob we’d be happy with that."

Arsenal agree Holding deal

Arsenal have agreed permanent deal with Crystal Palace for Rob Holding, according to the Express.

The fee is reportedly in the region of £4 million.

Hojlund to face Arsenal

Eril ten Hag has confirmed new striker Rasmus Hojlund will be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday.

It will be the £72 million man's Premier League debut, with the game kicking off 4.30pm at the Emirates.

Arteta explains Balogun exit

Mikel Arteta has been addressing the media, and has been asked about the departure of Folarin Balogun to Monaco.

"We didn't have enough space in the squad for him to get minutes he needs," he said.

"He did really well last year in his loan period and he wanted the chance to continue developing his career. He's at a good club who have a history of developing talent so I'm really happy for him."

Arteta sent Havertz message

Chris Sutton suggests that criticism of Arsenal star Kai Havertz is “deeply unfair” but he could still create a “problem” for Mikel Arteta.

The German forward has endured a tricky start to life at the Emirates since his £65m switch from Premier League rivals Chelsea. Havertz has yet to contribute a goal or an assist throughout his opening four competitive appearances.

That has seen him receive plenty of criticism from Gunners fans. Whilst Arteta has insisted that he will forge himself an important role in the Arsenal side, Sutton has suggested that could create a problem throughout the opening weeks of the season.

Read what he had to say HERE

Holding talks ongoing

Arsenal are holding talks with a number of clubs interested in a deal for Gunners' defender Rob Holding.

According to football.london, Crystal Palace have been in discussions with the centre-back over a late deal for him. Meanwhile, Spanish side Sevilla have since emerged as potential suitors.

Arsenal youngster set for loan

Arsenal youngster Khayon Edwards is reportedly of interest to Crewe Alexandra as they plot a loan move.

That is according to Arsenal Youth, who suggest that he is a deadline day target for the League Two side.

The 19-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for the Gunners.

Cancelo hijack touted

Arsenal have been backed to make an attempt to hijack Barcelona's move for Joao Cancelo.

According to Cadena SER, the Portuguese has received a last-minute offer from an unnamed Champions League offer.

However, the defender appears to be closing in on a move to the Camp Nou. Arsenal were linked with a move for him throughout the summer as they eye a replacement for Jurrien Timber.

Arsenal considering Pepe exit

Arsenal are reportedly considering releasing Nicolas Pepe on a free transfer amid his miserable spell in North London.

The Ivorian winger was expected to leave the Emirates following a disappointing spell with Nice. However, a deal for his exit has not been agreed.

According to Mail Online, the Gunners are considering cancelling the remainder of his deal.

Iwobi set for return

Former Arsenal star Alex Iwobi is reportedly in line for a return to London with Fulham closing in on his signature.

According to Sky Sports, the Gunners academy prospect is in line for a £22m switch to Craven Cottage.

He is apparently already in the capital ready to undergo a medical with Marco Silva's side.

Arteta approves six exits

Mikel Arteta has spent more than £200 million on transfer reinforcements this summer but trimming his squad will be the aim on transfer deadline day.

As the 11pm deadline approaches, the Spaniard has already sanctioned a number of exits, with Marquinhos, Kieran Tierney, and Runar Alex Runarsson all being shipped out on loan this month. And Nuno Tavares has now joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long deal, a deal confirmed by Steve Cooper's club on Friday morning.

But Arteta isn't done there, with five more senior players also in line to leave north London by the weekend. It follows a transfer window which saw Declan Rice arrive at the club from West Ham for a British record £105 million fee, which followed the £68 million capture of Kai Havertz from Arsenal.

Read more here

Tavares speaks out on Forest move

Nuno Tavares has spoken after completing his switch to Nottingham Forest.

As quoted by Forest's official website, the Portuguese defender said: "I'm really happy to be here.

"Forest is an historic club which won two European Cups and to be part of it makes me really happy.

"I'm really happy to stay in the Premier League as it's the best league in the world and I'm thankful to Forest for giving me that opportunity."

Tavares deal confirmed

We do indeed have our first deal of the day as Nuno Tavares joins Nottingham Forest.

Sambi Lokonga eyed by Luton

Arsenal's Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is being eyed by newly-promoted Luton.

The former Anderlecht star was being eyed by both Brighton and Burnley this summer but moves haven't materialised.

According to The Telegraph, Luton have lodged a loan bid for his services. Lokonga is set to decide on a move to Kenilworth Road.

Tavares announcement incoming

We're close to a done deal at the Emirates Stadium with Nuno Tavares set to seal a switch to Nottingham Forest.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Portuguese will join the Reds on a season-long loan. Arsenal have banked a £800k loan fee, whilst Forest have a £12m option to buy.

It is suggested that an announcement is imminent.

Balogun opens up on Henry chat

Folarin Balogun has revealed that he spoke to Thierry Henry after completing his permanent switch to Monaco.

Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “After we (Reims) played here he contacted me to congratulate me on my game. I knew he had played here and he told me a bit about the club and that it’s a beautiful place.

“That was it, really. But even after my first training session here (yesterday), he texted to say congratulations on the move. It’s a good feeling to have the support of someone like him.”