Managing Arsenal - Youssouf Fofana transfer, Victor Osimhen decision as six stars sold by Edu

Arsenal can officially start conducting transfer business. The summer window opened on Friday and it promises to be a busy couple of months at Emirates Stadium.

Edu will have until 11pm on August 30 to build Mikel Arteta a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions once again. The Gunners are expected to complete their first summer signing very soon, while a number of stars could choose to depart north London.

It is understood that Arteta wants to reinforce his side for the 2024/25 campaign, with a central midfielder and versatile forward among the positions being looked at. With that in mind, we play Managing Arsenal and look at what business Arsenal should do throughout the summer.

Incomings

It's possible that Arsenal are very active this summer. Owner Stan Kroenke has backed Edu and Arteta in each of the past three summer windows, signing stars such as Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

"To work for a football club like Arsenal, it is always busy, isn't it," Edu said last year to Amazon Prime. "You need to put in a lot of effort and energy and dedicate a lot of time, but of course in January and the summer, it does intensify a bit. We are prepared. We have big people around the club to support me and the decisions. We always have our targets - it is important to be prepared for every single scenario - that is very important."

As you would expect, Arsenal have been linked with a host of players this window and it's been reported that they are looking at signing a left-back, central midfielder and as many as two forwards. A goalkeeper could also be looked at if Aaron Ramsdale departs.

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Arteta's side are monitoring Feyenoord star Justin Bijlow's situation and a bid of around €10million (£8.4million) could persuade the Dutch club to do a deal. Bijlow would be an able back-up to David Raya if Ramsdale chooses to leave, with Raya expected to make his move to Emirates Stadium permanent in the coming weeks in what would be the Gunners first signing of the window.

At left-back Jorrel Hato had been linked but he appears to have committed his future to Ajax so incomings here may depend on the futures of Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Jurrien Timber can also play left-back but if I was Edu I would look at signing someone like Bradley Locko. The 22-year-old impressed for Brest in Ligue 1 last season, bagging three assists in 33 appearances and has been linked with the Gunners this week. Given his age and potential, along with the fact he is not likely to cost too much, signing Locko appears to be good business.

football.london understands that Arsenal's priority this window is signing a central midfielder and before links to Juventus intensified I did like Douglas Luiz. The Aston Villa man would have been expensive, however, so a move for someone like Amadou Onana could be more realistic. Everton's financial issues have been well documented and the 22-year-old could complement both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard nicely.

Another option is Youssouf Fofana, who has received plenty of plaudits following his displays at AS Monaco last season. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano the 25-year-old is expected to leave the club this summer as he has just one year remaining on his contract. The Gunners are one of the sides monitoring the French star so a move for either him or Onana makes sense.

Arsenal also want to improve the forward line this window, football.london understands. Benjamin Sesko had been a target until he committed his future to RB Leipzig but someone like Nico Williams appears a more realistic option. The Athletic Bilbao star recently spoke about his future and has been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium. The 21-year-old can play on either wing and looks perfect for the Gunners.

It's also worth noting that Victor Osimhen's name has started doing the rounds again on social media. Due to his price I just can't see it happening and I think money is better spent elsewhere this summer. If I was forced to buy one out and out No.9 this window, however, it would be Ivan Toney. The Brentford man has Premier League experience, is a clinical finisher and should be available at a decent price considering his contract situation.

Outgoings

It's clear that Arsenal have a number of players who would benefit from leaving the club this window. Aaron Ramsdale is the first name that springs to mind as it's evident the goalkeeper wants to play regularly and that just isn't going to happen at the Gunners. As long as a replacement is signed, I would sell the Englishman if a suitor matches the club's £30million valuation.

Kieran Tierney is another who should be allowed to depart. The Scotland international is not in Arteta's plans and spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad. It's believed the club want around £10million for him and that money could be used to sign a younger replacement. Perhaps a loan move to Celtic with an obligation to buy works for all parties. Nuno Tavares is another left-back who just isn't in the Gunners plans having spent the last two seasons away from north London and anything Edu can get for the Portuguese will be a bonus.

The fourth Arsenal star who I would, perhaps reluctantly, sell is Emile Smith Rowe. The Hale Ender just hasn't been able to get himself into Arteta's team over the past two years and needs to move on to progress his career. He has been plagued by injuries but kept himself fit for the majority of last season. Fulham, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have previously been linked with the midfielder, who could fetch around £30million.

Another midfielder who looks set to leave Arsenal is Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Belgium international performed well with Luton Town last season but perhaps isn't at the level the Gunners need. He's another who could still have a bright future elsewhere and could bring in around £15million. Thomas Partey has been linked with an exit but I would keep the Ghanaian. The 31-year-old is a quality player and his experience could be invaluable going into the 2024/25 campaign.

Eddie Nketiah is the final player who I would move on this summer. The 25-year-old did feature 37 times for the Gunners last season, contributing to nine goals, but he will most likely be third choice at Emirates Stadium if he chooses to stay. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are currently ahead of him in the pecking order and he could genuinely flourish at another Premier League side if he were to move. Given his age, potential and nationality he could command a high fee, much like Folarin Balogun did last summer. It's also worth saying that I would keep Reiss Nelson unless a suitable offer arrives for him. He probably has a role to play in the domestic cup competitions to give Bukayo Saka a rest.