Friday's Arsenal transfer talk news roundup: Lucas Torreira, Sead Kolasinac, Matteo Guendouzi

The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Arsenal eye possible reinforcements.

The Gunners spent more than many expected last summer - most notably their club-record purchase of Nicolas Pepe - but were more reserved in January as they focused on bolstering their defensive options.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Emirates Stadium.

Friday morning's Arsenal transfer talk news roundup:

Arsenal 'to offload duo this week for Houssem Aouar funds'

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Arsenal are reportedly hopeful of completing deals to offload Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac by the end of this week in order to help fund a move for Houssem Aouar.

Aouar is understood to have overtaken Thomas Partey as the Gunners' number one transfer target for the remainder of the window, which closes for international deals at 11pm on Monday.

However, Arsenal must trim their squad before they add to it, and the Evening Standard reports that they are hopeful of doing so by the end of this week.

Torreira is thought to be close to completing a loan switch to Atletico Madrid, despite Arsenal's preference to sell the Uruguayan on a permanent basis.

Kolasinac, meanwhile, is in advanced talks over a £9m move to Bayer Leverkusen, with those funds set to be used towards bringing Aouar to the Emirates Stadium.

The French midfielder is valued at around £50m by Lyon, although their president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted that no-one will be leaving the club after Friday.

Arsenal are also open to the sales of a number of other players, including Matteo Guendouzi, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Arsenal in talks with Marseille over Matteo Guendouzi loan?

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Arsenal are reportedly in contact with Marseille over a possible deal for out-of-favour midfielder Matteo Guendouzi.

The 21-year-old has not featured for Mikel Arteta's side since June owing to disciplinary problems, and as a result has been persistently linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium over the summer.

Furthermore, with the Gunners supposedly intent on securing the signature of Houssem Aouar before the deadline, Guendouzi's long-term future at Arsenal looks bleak.

According to Telefoot, Arsenal and Marseille are locked in negotiations over a deal for Guendouzi, who is yet to take to the pitch in the 2020-21 campaign.

However, the French outlet claim that Arsenal are hoping to ship out the midfielder permanently, whereas Marseille would prefer to take Guendouzi on a loan deal.

The France Under-21 international has amassed 82 appearances for Arsenal since arriving from Lorient in 2018 - scoring one goal - and has just under two years left to run on his current deal with the Gunners.

More transfer news from Arsenal:

Paris Saint-Germain to beat Arsenal to Houssem Aouar deal?
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly open talks with Lyon over French midfielder Houssem Aouar, who has been strongly linked with Arsenal this summer. Read more.

Thomas Frank: 'Said Benrahma brace has increased his price tag'
The Algerian scored twice in a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Fulham. Read more.