Mikel Merino agreement, four exits - Arsenal's to-do list before transfer window deadline

The summer transfer window has entered its final 10 days and there still could be plenty of movement at Arsenal between now and August 30.

The Gunners have continued their strategy of only signing priority players rather than spending recklessly. Riccardo Calafiori signed for an initial fee of around £33.7million with add-ons taking the fee up to £42m with David Raya's move made permanent and young goalkeeper Tommy Setford joining from Ajax.

Mikel Arteta has lost the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares this summer meaning his squad, numbers-wise, is weaker. The window closes on August 30 meaning there is still time for more transfers. But what still needs to be done?

football.london takes a detailed look at what Arsenal need to do with incomings and outgoings before the window is closed until January.

Incomings - optimistic double deal

Calafiori was quickly identified as the priority target for Arsenal earlier in the season after a versatile defender was placed at the top of Edu Gaspar's transfer list. However, a new midfielder and attacker continue to be areas that could still do with more depth.

The Gunners and Real Sociedad are understood to be in talks over a move for Mikel Merino. The midfielder looks likely to be the next face through the door after a bid worth £25m was turned down, though the club must come to some sort of agreement to get him signed before the deadline.

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Sociedad's president recently confirmed that an offer deemed appropriate will allow the Spain international to leave. Right now, it seems as though the former Newcastle United man is the only profile being considered to bolster Arteta's options in midfield.

Further up the field, much has been made of the lack of a centre-forward. Nearly every elite striker has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are expected to lead the line once again this season.

However, considerations must be made in strengthening the options out wide. Bukayo Saka has already shown signs of improving on last season and Arsenal are fortunate to have one of the best wingers in world football, but competition behind him is weak.

There are a number of quality right wingers around but they come at a premium. Pedro Neto was linked earlier in the window before his move to Chelsea and the likes of Raphinha, Johan Bakayoko, Simon Adringra and Serge Gnabry have all been mentioned throughout the window.

With focus seemingly on getting the Merino deal over the line, there's little time to construct a move for a forward. Should the chance come to provide back-up to Saka, especially if Reiss Nelson departs, Arteta will have to take it quickly.

Outgoings - millions raised

Arsenal have far from a bloated squad. In fact, the Gunners' team is significantly smaller than Premier League rivals Manchester City, yet some players are still uncertain futures in north London.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has flirted with an exit since losing his place to Raya but interest in him has seemed to develop in recent weeks with Wolves and Bournemouth understood to be tracking him.

The club want at least £30m for the England international but the possibility of a loan move remains. The option of staying at Arsenal and being second choice doesn't seem a feasible one for a player looking to retain his place in the England set-up.

Jakub Kiwior is another player who could be allowed to leave in search of regular first-team football. Calafiori's arrival means there's a number of players in front of the Poland international, though interest from Italy has cooled in the last two weeks. A loan move seems more likely at this stage.

Academy graduates Eddie Nketiah and Nelson are the two interesting cases. Nottingham Forest have been unsuccessful with an opening bid for the former and could return with an improved proposal, but reports suggest they are also targeting other No.9s.

Marseille have also shown interest but Roberto De Zerbi's men have signed a number of attackers this summer already. Crystal Palace, Everton and Leicester City all need strikers so it could be one to keep an eye out for.

Finally, Nelson is another player whose lack of game time is expected to be a significant factor. The 24-year-old had attracted interest from Leicester earlier in the summer but it's suggested his big wages at the Gunners are proving to be a problem at this stage.

All four players could leave the club before August 30 but with time running out, all four could still be part of Arteta's team when they take on Tottenham after the international break.