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Arsenal transfer news: The FIVE most likely players to be AXED as Gunners plan to double down on £700k January savings

James Anderson

Published: 12:48, 18 Feb 2021
Updated: 12:48, 18 Feb 2021

ARSENAL are planning a dramatic squad overhaul this summer with several first-team players expected to leave on permanent deals.

The Gunners will embark on a cost-cutting mission despite saving almost £700,000-per-week on wages having offloaded Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos in January.

Alexandre Lacazette could be offloaded as his contract enters its final yearCredit: GETTY

Here, SunSport round up the FIVE most likely players to leave the Emirates Stadium, according to odds supplied by bookmakers Betfair.

1) Lucas Torreira - 1/4

Arsenal fans were jubilant when Lucas Torreira arrived from Sampdoria for £25m in July 2018.

The Uruguayan international, 25, looked to have solved their need for a tough, combative and energetic defensive midfielder.

But 89 appearances later and now on loan at Atletico Madrid - Torreira is the most likely departure this summer at 1/4.

He's been no more than a bit-part player under Diego Simeone and is expected to return to Arsenal before moving on again.

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2) Calum Chambers - 2/5

After seven years, 103 appearances and two loan spells away from the club - Calum Chambers looks set to leave Arsenal.

The 26-year-old suffered a serious knee injury soon after Mikel Arteta’s appointment in December 2019.

And he's struggled to make an impression since.

He's not played a minute of top-flight action this season and his only start came during a dead-rubber Europa League fixture against Dundalk.

3) Matteo Guendouzi - 1/2

French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is available at 1/2 to leave Arsenal on a permanent basis this summer.

The 21-year-old clashed with Arteta on a couple of occasions before being sent on loan with Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.

Guendouzi was dropped from a matchday squad entirely for his conduct during a trip to Dubai over the winter break.

He was subsequently exiled from first-team training after making salary jibes at Brighton striker Neal Maupay in June.

Arsenal are planning to AXE several players this summerCredit: GETTY

4) Ainsley Maitland-Niles 4/5

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was loaned out to relegation-threatened West Brom during the January transfer window.

And he looks to have seized his opportunity to impress in central midfield, rather than in the full-back position.

The 23-year-old is priced at 4/5 to leave the Gunners this summer.

But Arteta has publicly stated that he sees Maitland-Niles as an Arsenal player in the long term.

5) Alexandre Lacazette 10/11

It could be a case of now or never with centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette.

The Frenchman has entered the final 15 months of his £150,000-a-week contract and there's been no decision on whether or not to extend his stay.

Lacazette, who's scored 58 goals in 154 games for Arsenal, will be eligible to speak with other clubs outside of England from next January onwards.

And Arsenal could decide to sell this summer rather than risk losing their £52m signing on a free transfer when his deal expires next June.

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