The transfer window, story by story.
Arsenal confirmed Gabriel Martinelli's move to Al-Hilal on 3 September. Sky Sports and ESPN both report £60m fixed plus a sell-on percentage, on a four-year deal: the biggest sale in the club's history.
Barcelona announced the signing of Gabriel Jesus for 10 million euros plus 4 million in add-ons, Hamburg bought Fabio Vieira for around 10 million, and Ethan Nwaneri spends the season at Borussia Dortmund on a straight loan. Nobody came the other way: Alvarez stayed at Atletico, Fofana went elsewhere in the Premier League, Fernandez-Pardo signed for Newcastle.
Sky Sports put the Martinelli / Al-Hilal agreement at £55.7m — the biggest sale in Arsenal's history. On the same day, a deal agreed in principle at £8.6m with Barcelona for Gabriel Jesus and an agreement at around £7.7m with Hamburg for Fábio Vieira. Three exits, roughly £72m, and not one official statement so far.
Arsenal announced on 27 August 2026 that Reiss Nelson's contract had been terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect. The 26-year-old academy graduate leaves as a free agent after 90 appearances, 8 goals and 9 assists. The ~£3m permanent move discussed with West Ham never happened.
Fabrizio Romano wrote on 24 August that Al-Hilal are getting closer to a deal for Gabriel Martinelli, that club-to-club talks are at their final stages at around £50-55m, and that Arsenal are prepared to accept. Personal terms remain open, and the player will make the final call. At that price it would be the biggest sale in the club's history.
David Ornstein reported on 23 August that Al-Hilal are in talks with Arsenal and with Gabriel Martinelli, that the club want around £60m and that the Brazilian is open to leaving after turning down Turkey. No agreement exists at this stage.
Arsenal announced Ezri Konsa's arrival from Aston Villa on 21 August. A four-year contract with an option for a fifth, the number 15 shirt, and £51m plus £4m in add-ons according to David Ornstein. The England defender is not in the squad against Coventry; his debut is expected on 31 August, at Villa Park.
Two days after Galatasaray's €45m offer, Gabriel Martinelli's camp have told Arsenal he has no intention of moving to Turkey. Ornstein, Romano and Plettenberg all reported it on the same day. The Turkish club have switched to Rafael Leão.
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Bruno Guimarães on 8 August. The Newcastle captain has signed a four-year deal with the option of a further season, for a fixed £75m, and takes the number 39 shirt. The fourth arrival of the summer, and by far the most expensive.
Julián Álvarez has publicly asked to leave, and Diego Simeone answered that the club has made its decision. Barcelona's bid was waved away, so was Real Madrid's. What is confirmed, what is still very shaky, and why Arsenal are left standing almost by default.
A month after personal terms were reported as agreed, the Koné move has not advanced and the reporting no longer lines up: Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter and Chelsea are all named, and Roma have raised their price. An honest status check, and what the Bruno Guimarães signing changes.
Sky Sports News report Vinícius Júnior will stay at Real Madrid beyond this summer: no intention of selling, renewal talks held this week. What is confirmed, what stays open, and what it changes for Arsenal's attacking plans.
Newcastle rejected Arsenal's £70m bid for Bruno Guimarães, who wants a quick resolution. Meanwhile, Ornstein and Sky Sports link the Gunners with Vinícius Júnior.
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. A five-year deal until 2031, squad number 17, for around £34m — a record for a Greek player. Trossard's replacement joins Hincapié and Meslier among the summer arrivals.
David Ornstein and Ben Jacobs report a £117m Chelsea-Aston Villa agreement for Morgan Rogers, the biggest fee ever for a British player. Arsenal, who had made him their main attacking target, stopped around £90-100m.
Arsenal have officially confirmed on their own site an agreement with Besiktas for Leandro Trossard's transfer: £17m in total. The Belgian has flown to Istanbul for his medical and to sign.
Illan Meslier has passed his medical in London and signed his contract: Fabrizio Romano gives the 'here we go'. The French goalkeeper becomes Arsenal's second summer signing after Hincapié, as backup behind Raya.
A reversal in the Jeremy Monga saga: Manchester City have launched a hijack for the Leicester prodigy, with Enzo Maresca leading the charge. Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal, who had been negotiating for weeks, are now out of the race.
Besiktas and Arsenal have largely agreed the financial structure of a ≈€20m deal for Leandro Trossard. The player still has to be convinced, and will decide after Belgium's World Cup run.
Arsenal submitted a £55m verbal offer for Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães. Rejected. The Brazilian gave Arsenal the green light. Berta preparing a ~£80m formal bid.
Arsenal have submitted an official bid to Leicester City for 16-year-old winger Jeremy Monga. Personal terms agreed — the player chose Arsenal over Man City, Chelsea and Real Madrid. Ornstein and Romano both confirm.