Arsenal Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of August 25

We are now into the last full week of the transfer window.

Arsenal still have plenty of business to do. The club need another centre-back to supplement Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Calum Chambers. There is also a pressing need for a powerful midfielder to be the long-term successor to Mikel Arteta.

Players are likely to leave the club too, as Arsene Wenger trims his team to ensure it complies with the Premier League's 25-man squad rule.

Check back here over the week as we follow the latest Arsenal transfer stories.

Last updated Friday, August 29. 

Arsenal Face Fight for Adrien Rabiot

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Friday, August 29

Across the summer, Arsenal have been linked with young French midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The elegant PSG man is seen as a potential successor to Mikel Arteta.

However, Arsene Wenger's bid for Rabiot appears to have hit a problem. According to French newspaper Le Parisien (h/t The Metro), the Gunners face fierce competition from Roma, who have apparently agreed a €15 million fee for the talented teenager.

Arsenal must now make a counter-move if they wish to secure their man.

Arsenal Launch Bid for Sokratis Papastathopoulos

Hassan Ammar/Associated Press

Arsenal's search for centre-back continues.

According to Alex Harris of The Express, Arsene Wenger has turned his attention to Greek international Sokratis Papasathopolous. Having missed out on Kostas Manolas, it seems Wenger has identified his international team-mate as a possible target.

Arsenal are still desperately short at the back, and must find a new centre-half before next week's transfer deadline.

Lukas Podolski Now Set to Stay

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Wednesday, August 27

After a topsy-turvy week, Lukas Podolski now seems set to stay at Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has told the BBC that the German forward will be available for the Champions League qualifier with Besiktas and ought to remain beyond that point.

The decision to keep Podolski was doubtless influenced by the injury to Olivier Giroud. Losing both the Frenchman and Podolski would simply be too big a blow to Arsenal's goalscoring potential.

Arsenal Could Be in the Market for a Striker

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Tuesday, August 26

According to Dominic Fifield of The Guardian, Olivier Giroud will undergo a scan on an ankle injury. Should the results be bad, Arsenal may be forced to dip in to the market for another forward.

Giroud is currently absolutely vital to Arsenal's style of play. His introduction at half-time against Everton transformed the Gunners' performance. Losing him for any significant period would be a major problem.

Arsene Wenger and his scouts will be on the look-out for someone who can provide cover for the Frenchman's integral hold-up play.

Lukas Podolski Heads Toward Exit

Sang Tan/Associated Press

Monday, August 25

Lukas Podolski appears to be on his way out of Arsenal. According to Kevin Palmer of ESPN, the player's advisers are already assessing "several offers" for the German international.

Podolski's departure appears to have been accelerated by the presence of Joel Campbell, who has returned from a loan spell with Olympiakos.

Whether or not the Costa Rican is ready to replace Podolski's significant goal tally remains to be seen. 

William Carvalho Back on the Radar

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Monday, August 25

Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express says that Arsenal are still pursuing a move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho. He suggests that Sporting could be prepared to take one of several Arsenal players in a part-exchange deal:

"

Lisbon are keen on a number of Gunners stars including Yaya Sanogo, Serge Gnabry, Francis Coquelin and Ryo Miyaichi that could result in a part-exchange deal for the 22-year-old.

"

Carvalho would definitely assuage Arsenal's need for a holding midfielder. With a week to go in the window, this story still has some more twists left in it. 

Sami Khedira Deal Off

Fabrizio Bensch/Associated Press

Monday, August 25

One man who certainly won't be joining Arsenal is Sami Khedira. Carlo Ancelotti has told Dan Lucas of The Guardian that "the issue has been resolved" and the German will be staying in Madrid.

That's no disaster for Arsenal—Khedira is not the pure holding midfielder the fans crave.

The Gunners will now turn their attention to more disciplined targets.