Arsenal latest: Star signs new contract as Mikel Arteta receives Julian Alvarez deadline
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have been busy in the summer transfer window(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The final days of the transfer window are often chaotic, and for Arsenal this year, the closing hours of the market are proving no different.
With September 1 fast approaching, the Gunners find themselves navigating one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the summer regarding the pursuit of Julian Alvarez. It has, on the whole, been a summer of significant investment already.
Andrea Berta has overseen five arrivals, with Mikel Arteta's squad reshaped to the tune of around £200million. Piero Hincapie's loan was made permanent for £34.5m, Illan Meslier came in as back-up goalkeeper on a free transfer, Christos Tzolis was brought in for £34m, and the Gunners bolstered their midfield and defensive ranks with the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa for £75m and £55m respectively.
Yet, for all the players coming through the door, business in the other direction has been harder to conduct. Gabriel Martinelli's expected £50m departure to Al-Hilal and Leandro Trossard's £17m sale represent relatively slim returns for two players who contributed to last season's title triumph.
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Finding new clubs for fringe players has proven a further headache for Berta, with the Gunners ultimately deciding to release Reiss Nelson by mutual consent on Thursday. With the window shutting shortly, the spotlight has turned to whether Arsenal can land one of Europe's most sought-after forwards before the deadline.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at the two of the biggest stories coming out of N5 right now.
Marli Salmon has signed a contract with Arsenal(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Marli Salmon has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Gunners. The highly-rated youngster has spent seven years at the north London club and has now been rewarded with a professional deal, having celebrated his 17th birthday on Saturday.
The centre-back joined Arsenal at Under-11s level as a striker. However, following his transition to defence, the talented youngster has impressed Arteta and featured in the first-team squad last season as the Gunners secured the title.
Salmon said regarding his milestone: "It means a lot to me. A lot of hard work went into this, a lot of ups and downs, but I'm so proud. I think it's a proud moment for my family as well, I think it's a reward for them as well, because they put so much time and effort into me. It's proof of their hard work as much as mine."
Looking back on his transformation from forward to defender, he said: "I was an attacker in those days, so it was a bit different, but it was good. It sounds kind of cliched but it's a lot of ups and downs, a lot of tough times. Sometimes you really go through adversity, but it's built me to the person I am today, so I'm thankful for it."
Time is running out for Arsenal to sign Alvarez(Image: Angel Martinez, Getty Images)
Atletico have set Arsenal a deadline to complete a deal for Alvarez. According to Sky Sports, the La Liga giants wanted the forward's situation resolved by Sunday, leaving the Gunners with just hours to persuade him to return to the Premier League.
Alvarez's dream switch to Barcelona has been blocked by Atleti, with the club only willing to consider offers from overseas and demanding £128m for their talisman. As things stand, Arsenal represent the only realistic option for the Argentine should he choose to leave the Spanish capital.
The 26-year-old held a five-hour meeting with his inner circle earlier in the week to weigh up whether to remain at Atletico and mend his relationship with the supporters, who jeered him last weekend, or to commit to Arteta's project. However, transfer reporter David Ornstein told TNT Sports on Saturday that the likelihood of the player opting for Arsenal was slim.
He also mentioned that Alvarez had given no indication of any desire to join the Gunners thus far, having spoken directly with Arteta and informed the Spaniard that he has no interest in making the move. Despite the transfer failing to progress as anticipated, Arsenal are reportedly okay with the growing prospect of heading into the new campaign without securing Alvarez's signature.
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