Arsenal on transfer deadline day: All the news and rumours as they happened

Thomas Lemar
Arsenal have agreed a fee with Monaco for Thomas Lemar Credit: AFP

It was a disappointing deadline day for Arsenal as their scattergun approach to the closing stages of the transfer market window left them looking vulnerable.

Wantaway Alexis Sanchez wasn't able to get the move he wanted and remains an Arsenal player for at least the next few months. Man City submitted two bids for the Chilean during the day but Arsenal's inability to sign Thomas Lemar, who is believed to have turned them down because of a lack of Champions League football, had a knock-on effect on a potential £60million deal for Sanchez.

Efforts to sign Jonny Evans didn't come to anything either with the only real activity at the Emirates being in the departures lounge. Earlier in the day, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed a £35million switch to Liverpool while Kieran Gibbs joined West Brom in a deal thought to be worth £7million. 

Lucas Perez ended his unhappy stay with a loan move back to Deportivo La Coruna and no transfer window would be complete without Joel Campbell moving to another club on a temporary basis. The nomadic forward joined Real Betis on a year long loan.

                                                                                                    

THE WINDOW IS CLOSED

BONG! No more signings! Alexis Sanchez stays! I wonder how that man feels right now.

Lemar speaks

Thomas Lemar. Again, not the singer Lemar. After France's 2-0 win over Holland, he said:

"You will soon see for yourself but for the moment I am a Monegasque and everything is going very well."

 

Arsenal's window

There's less than an hour to go now and it seems certain that nothing's going to happen for Arsenal. Has this been a good window or a bad one? It was going well until the last minute panic spend attempts of today and being turned down by Lemar is something that Wenger might not be very used to. Times have a changed, to paraphrase and misquote Bob Dylan. 

Speaking of Lemar...

He has just scored an absolute worldie in the France vs Holland game, slamming a volley in from about 20 yards. It gets better with every single replay. Oocha beasties.

Awkward emoji

 What a twist (pun not intended) this would be for Arsenal's hopes this season. Koscielny is up and running around again but that does not look like a happy ankle.

Ian Wright's new profile picture

 

Ramsey letting everyone else in on the joke

 

Arsene Wenger interview from earlier in the year

Some interesting bits in there. Meanwhile, clearly the Thomas Lemar deal is off. He's on the pitch in France, who are beating Holland 1-0. 

 

Aaron Ramsey is sad about Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving

"We need to change something," is what Ramsey said at the end of the 4-0 hiding Liverpool inflicted upon Arsenal the other day. I'm not sure this is what he meant. 

The controversy about this one is that he deleted the original picture, which had the hashtag #shaambles but that is apparently Per Mertesacker's nickname for The Ox due to his poor timekeeping. 

Manchester City accept defeat in Sanchez chase

Credit: AP

Here's the very latest from James Ducker:

Manchester City have accepted defeat in their efforts to sign Alexis Sanchez and Jonny Evans before the close of the transfer window tonight.  

City made a second offer worth £60 million including add ons for Sanchez today but with Arsenal unable to secure a replacement for the wantaway Chile striker a deal has collapsed.  

Arsenal had reached an agreement in principle with Monaco for Lemar worth a British record £92 million but feel they ran out of time to do a deal, although other sources have claimed the France attacking midfielder was lukewarm about a move to the Emirates Stadium.  

It means Sanchez is stuck at Arsenal for now, and unless the North London club can persuade the Chilean to sign a new contract, they risk losing him for a knockdown fee in January or for nothing next summer when his contract expires.  

Meanwhile, City's hopes of signing Evans from West Bromwich Albion hinged on the club offloading Eliaquim Mangala and West Brom finding a replacement. But the France defender rejected moves to West Brom and Crystal Palace leaving City unable to make a third offer for Evans because they first needed Mangala off the wage bill.  

Arsenal were also interested in Evans but with Shkodran Mustafi's proposed move to Inter Milan falling through the West Brom centre half, currently away in San Marino on Northern Ireland duty, is likely to remain at the Hawthorns for now.

Your thoughts

Lucas Perez to Deportivo on loan

More transfer outgoings for Arsenal, with striker Lucas Perez on his way back to Spain on a season long loan. The Emirates hasn't been great for Perez, who will regret making the switch. Everton and Newcastle were said to be interested in him but clearly that hasn't worked out.

Sanchez deal is OFF!

He stays!

What do you think about this whole situation? Leave a comment, tweet me @jj_bull or email me joseph.bull@telegraph.co.uk if you'd like to join in the conversation. Twitter's best. 

Reaction to Wrighty's tweet

I also agree with this. Arsenal's transfer dealings have been shockingly poor. They look ill-prepared, now have a severely unsettled dressing room and judging by what's gone on today, no longer have the same player pulling power they once did. Troubling times ahead? 

Ian Wright is pleased with today's negotiations

 

Former Arsenal target signs for PSG

You can find out all about Kylian Mbappe's move to PSG over on our main transfer blog with Adam Hurrey. 

Sky Sports on the Lemar deal

A "senior source" has said that the Thomas Lemar deal is very unlikely to happen because of logistics. Lemar is getting ready for an international match against Holland tonight and also wants to join Liverpool, not Arsenal. When would he complete a medical? There's no time, Clive. There's no time! 

Big outgoing transfer news for Arsenal!

This guy must live out of a suitcase. Nomadic attacking forward Joel Campbell looks to be heading out on loan. Again.

I am becoming increasingly concerned that this recurring Arsenal transfer nonsense, whereupon they start the season poorly, panic and either spend a lot of money on the last day of the window on one player or fail completely and sell their better player(s) - and then put Campbell out on loan, is some renegade hacker's way of letting me know we live in a simulation. Arsenal-transfer-window.exe

Calum Chambers and the Philosopher's Transfer Rumour

Apparently, Leicester have had two bids for Calum Chambers rejected by Arsenal, who want something close to £27million for him. 

Credit: REUTERS

 The defender spent last season out on loan at Middlesbrough where he was alright. Pretty good, reliable, a composed, fairly adept central defender. And now he's worth£27million. What is happening?!

Alexis Sanchez might be staying...

Here's the latest on the Alexis Sanchez/Thomas Lemar saga from James Ducker:

Manchester City's hopes of signing Alexis Sanchez before tonight's transfer deadline now appear to hinge on the club making an improved third bid for the Chile striker and a significant about-turn from Arsenal.  

Arsenal had hoped to sign Lemar as a replacement for Sanchez after agreeing a fee in principle with Monaco for the France attacking midfielder.  But that prospective deal now looks unlikely to happen, which could force Sanchez to stay at the Emirates Stadium unless City can persuade Arsenal to sell with an increased offer.  

Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal had been adamant they need a replacement for Sanchez before sanctioning his sale. Whether City now look to up their second offer of £60 million in a bid to force Arsenal's hand, regardless of their struggles to recruit a replacement, remains to be seen but at this stage at least the North London club seem opposed by offloading their top scorer last season.  

It is unclear if Lemar has turned a late move to the Emirates but there were also other complicating factors, not least an extraordinary transfer log jam.  

In order to sell Lemar to Arsenal, Monaco first wanted to secure the signing of Paris-St Germain winger Angel Di Maria as part of the deal that takes Kylian Mbappe to the French capital.  

But that was being held up because the French Football Federation have yet to accept the current terms of Mbappe's initial loan move to PSG, which is due to become a permanent £166 million transfer next summer.  

Equally, PSG fear they could contravene Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules if they look to pay the cash for Mbappe this summer having already paid Barcelona a world record £198 million fee for Neymar.  

PSG are also open to selling Germany winger Julian Draxler, who has also interested Arsenal, in a bid to balance their books but the 23-year-old is understood to be reluctant to leave the French club only eight months after joining them from Wolfsburg.

More on Lemar

 

Update: Time running out to complete Lemar deal

Here's an actual update. James Ducker has the inside information:

Arsenal have agreed a fee in principle with Monaco for Lemar but time is running out to complete a deal for the France attacking midfielder before tonight's deadline because of an extraordinary transfer log jam.

Monaco are ready to sell Lemar to Arsenal for a British record £92 million but they first want to secure the signing of Paris-St Germain winger Angel Di Maria as part of a deal for Kylian Mbappe.

But that is being held up because the French Football Federation have yet to accept the current terms of Mbappe's initial loan move to PSG, which is due to become a permanent £166 million transfer next summer.

Equally, PSG fear they could contravene Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules if they look to pay the cash for Mbappe this summer having already paid Barcelona a world record £198 million fee for Neymar.

PSG are also open to selling Germany winger Julian Draxler, who has also interested Arsenal, in a bid to balance their books but the 23-year-old is understood to be reluctant to leave the French club only eight months after joining them from Wolfsburg.

Credit: HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY

All of that could have a significant bearing on Manchester City's pursuit of Alexis Sanchez. City made a second bid of £60 million for the Chile striker today (thurs) but Arsenal have been insistent they will not sell unless they can get a replacement in.

That now hangs in the balance with Arsenal sweating over whether they will have time to complete a deal for Lemar. It is unclear at this stage whether City could persuade Arsenal to sell even if they fail to find a replacement by raising their £60 million offer but it guarantees a frantic end to the transfer window.

Another twist in the tale

At the moment, the internet chatter I can see (which might all be total nonsense, for what it's worth) is that Arsenal have had a £90~million bid accepted for Thomas Lemar and now have to convince the player to join them before they agree to sell Alexis Sanchez. But now there's noise that Arsenal believe Sanchez is staying at the club. The whole thing's a mess, Clive. Why are Arsenal always so busy on Transfer Deadline Day, the greatest day in the world? 

Transfer Hawk! KAAAAH!

Will Arsenal complete this swoop? Will they get the talons stuck in? How large is this warchest?!

 

Breaking news: Arsenal agree fee for Lemar

Not the singer. James Ducker has some exciting news for us about Thomas Lemar. He says:

Arsenal and Monaco have agreed a fee for Lemar and the deal now hinges on the France attacking midfielder agreeing to join the North London club.

Star of 2014 World Cup...

And Arsenal's perennial forgotten man Joel Campbell - who has been loaned out to Lorient in 2011-12, Olympiakos in 2012-13, Betis in 2013-14, Villarreal in 2014-15 and Sporting in 2016-17 - is reported to be returning to Betis. His contract runs out at the end of the season, it must be time for him to leave for good. Free Joel Campbell. 

Credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

 

Sanchez hints

Earlier today, this happened:

Then Sanchez like the following tweet.  Deduction, Watson. Deduction pure and simple. 

Wilshere seems to be a goer

To join Blues and Harry Redknapp. Birmingham are also signing former Gunner Alex Song. Having made a cock-up of epic proportions last season, Trillion Trophy Asia seem to be making positive strides recently. 

Here's John Percy on Wilshere

Birmingham have been linked with a sensational move for Jack Wilshere.

The Arsenal midfielder is not expected to feature much under Arsene Wenger this season so it does in theory sound feasible. 

But Harry Redknapp has just described it as "dreamland" after speaking to Telegraph Football, suggesting he would never come to Birmingham.

More on this as we don't get it.

Credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 

Wilshere news

Sky reports that Birmingham City are attempting to take Jack Wilshere on loan. 

James Ducker on Thomas Lemar

Arsenal have stepped up their efforts to sign Lemar as a replacement for Alexis Sáanchez after receiving a second bid worth up to £60 million from Manchester City for the Chile striker.

Monaco have rebuffed Arsenal's previous attempts to sign Lemar this summer and the French champions were also reported to have rejected a latest bid of about £65 million from Liverpool this week for the attacking midfielder.  

Can Arsenal sign Thomas Lemar even if they bid £90m? Credit: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

But Arsenal have re-entered talks over Lemar as they prepare to test Monaco's resolve to keep the 21-year-old with a huge offer. There have even been reports Arsenal have made a British record £90m bid.

More to follow ...

Thomas Lemar

Is the subject of a £90m bid from Arsenal, according to the Mail, which would break Arsenal's transfer record by £36m. Too much, too little, too late?

Credit: AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says goodbye

 

James Ducker reports on Sanchez

Manchester City have made a second cash bid for Alexis Sánchez worth up to £60 million. City have offered to pay Arsenal an initial £55 million for the wantaway Chile striker with a further £5 million payable in add ons. City had an initial bid of £50 million for Sánchez rejected by Arsenal on Tuesday.

Manchester City bid £60m for Sanchez

They're offering, as Balague reported, £55m up front plus £5m in performance-related add-ons, Sky reports. Whether that's a circle-work with Guillem or independently verified, I'm not yet sure. 

Here's Guillem Balague

David De Gea and Faxgate notwithstanding:

 

Everton make a bid for Lucas Perez

On a season's long loan but Arsenal consider Everton rivals - How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places - and would prefer he went back to Deportivo La Coruña. So would Perez. 

Arsenal's window spending

After the purchase of Lacazette, the Bosman signing of Kolasinac and the sales of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wojciech Szczesny, Kieran Gibbs and Gabriel is currentyly showing a profit of £17m. The BBC's David Ornstein reports that they have no more money to spend despite that and can only sign Draxler if they sell Sanchez. What's going on at the club financially given the new TV deal? Too much deadwood on too high wages? 

Julian Draxler Credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

 

Wenger's asbestos hands

Are required today because, fear not, Arsene Wenger is hard at work, as he tells the club website. Shouldn't all this be done by now and by a dedicated department rather than the first team coach at the 11th hour?

“I wake up very early every day, transfer deadline day or not. You’re on alert and you look around Europe. The phone is red-hot most of the time," he says. 

Telegraph transfer value generator - how much are you worth? 

If Manchester City can spend more than£100m on full-backs and Everton 40m-plus for Gylfi Sigurdsson, it begs the question: How much could you fetch in this current market?  Well, our colleagues Mike Wright and Patrick Scott have come up with a way of finding out. Have ago, let us know your worth and you're welcome.

 

Wilshere on his way east? 

Matt Law reports

West Ham United could turn to Jack Wilshere if they lose the battle with Tottenham Hotspur for Andre Gomes. Both West Ham and Spurs have asked about taking midfielder Gomes on loan from Barcelona. Should Tottenham win that particular battle, then the Hammers are ready to turn to Wilshere who has been told he can leave Arsenal – either for good in a sale or on loan.

Jack Wilshere may be heading to Yer Actual West Ham Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 

Matt Law on a possible swoop

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could face competition from Arsenal for Ross Barkley today. Everton have already turned down a £25m bid from Chelsea for Barkley and Spurs have now stepped up talks over the midfielder.

But Arsenal are also considering a late move as they look at potential deals with both Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere possible heading out. Paris Saint-Germain’s Julian Draxler is Arsenal’s first-choice replacement for Sanchez and the Gunners are in talks with the French club.

Farewell to 'The Ox'

Chris Bascombe reports:

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal for a fee of £35m. Read on here ...

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed for Liverpool Credit: Twitter

 

Is Riyad Mahrez an alternative to Draxler?

Sky states that categorically ... he isn't. Arsenal have many balls in the air - persuading Draxler to sign, moving Perez and especially Campbell and Debuchy on, getting a City player of their choice in as part of any Sanchez deal. And Mahrez doesn't figure once ... we're told. If PSG sell Draxler (and Aurier) to try to show FPP willing it will mean they have a stellar but very thin squad given the requirements of a Champions League campaign.

Credit:  EPA/PETER POWELL

 

The Mirror's Mr Arsenal

John Cross is reporting that Arsenal are contemplating a late move for Ross Barkley. Fine player with potential to be among the very best but not Arsenal's most glaring requirement, I would have thought. 

Arsenal reject £20m bid

For Calum Chambers from Leicester City, reports Sky Sports News. 'He's going nowhere,' said Arsene Wenger ... until he enters the last year of his contract no doubt. 

Calum Chambers was the subject of a £20m bid from Leicester Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 

More from Matt Law on the Bond villain

I’m told Arsenal are talking to Paris Saint-Germain about a deal for him and the French club are not ruling out a sale.

Here's Matt Law on Draxler

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has revived his interest in Julian Draxler, who may be allowed to leave Paris Saint-Germain today. Wenger could be set to lose Alexis Sánchez to Manchester City and has told Arsenal that Draxler would be his preferred replacement.

Arsenal tried to sign Draxler a couple of years ago, but he joined PSG. The signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé mean that PSG need to sell players and may be willing to do business on Draxler.

And more on Lucas Perez

From our man in the Far Corner, Luke Edwards:

Hold on to your hats, I've just had a text from someone saying Newcastle are back in for Arsenal striker Lucas Perez. Now this was a deal that appeared to have gone cold weeks ago, but my information is that the Magpies have made another attempt in the last few hours. Again, watch this space. I mean, it may well amount to nothing as I'm not sure Perez was that keen initially and wanted to return to Spain, but this is deadline day and, well, strange things happen. 

Lucas Perez scored seven goals in 21 appearances for Arsenal last season Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

He'd be a great signing for Newcastle, although in order for it to happen I suspect Dwight Gayle will be sold. Finally some excitement on Tyneside. Sort of.

Draxler update from a reliable source

 

Sanchez news

A deal with Manchester City has not been ruled out but 'cash alone will not suffice'. Which means Arsenal want a player but who would be willing to move that would be acceptable to the Gunners? I can't see Raheem Sterling heading south or Leroy Sane. Delph? Yaya would be interesting but that ship has sailed, I would have thought. I like young Zinchenko but Wenger would be laughed out of town if he accepted a 20-year-old in part exchange for a world-class player. 

Lucas Perez could leave the Emirates today. Newcastle?  Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 

Arsenal departures?

Movement on Lucas Perez, Joel Campbell, Mathieu Debuchy and Wilshere possible today, indeed likely for the first three, reports Sky Sports News but Mustafi is definitely staying.

Farewell to Oxlade-Chamberlain

He hasn't officially signed, but unless you're Maurice Johnston there's no going back from this:

 

There's plenty of time for Arsenal

Apart from Draxler, what else is occurring, as Jack Kelsey might have said? Arsenal remain interested in Jonny Evans as Manchester United fans and Jose Mourinho continue to stick pins in their Louis van Gaal doll, and, of course. Thomas Lemar. I'd tell them to sign Mamadou Sakho but I don't think they'll listen.

 

Good morning

And welcome to our Arsenal transfer deadline day blog. We kick off with 'news' that Alexis Sánchez seems to be on the verge of joining Manchester City – who have sent a delegation to Chile in anticipation of finalising a deal with the forward – and now Arsenal are scrambling around looking for a suitable replacement. Bond villain  Julian Draxler is the man they fancy, even if  his name suggests he poses an even greater threat to the safety of the world than Spectre, Smersh, the Janus Syndicate, the Octopus Cult, the Union, the Spangled Mob, the Union, the Graves Corporation, Auric Enterprises, Phoenix International, Quantum and Scum combined. For England, James?

A report in the Mirror claims the Paris St-Germain forward is the man to fill Sánchez's boots and the Arsenal are hoping that the Qatar government is willing to sell and recoup some of the money it splashed out on Neymar earlier in the transfer window which, as you will know, closes later today. Will PSG make some conciliatory moves with regards to FFP or not? 

Arsène Wenger, though, is not pinning all of his hopes on the Germany international. The Arsenal manager, according to the report, has also made a further inquiry about Thomas Lemar, the Monaco player who has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, and Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City who is the past few weeks has become one of the 'wantaway' wingers you only ever hear about during transfer windows.

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