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Arsenal Transfer News: Wojciech Szczesny Exit Imminent, Latest Rumours

Gianni Verschueren@ReverschPassFeatured ColumnistJuly 18, 2017

TURIN, ITALY - JULY 18:  Wojciech Szczesny attends medical tests  on July 18, 2017 in Turin, Italy.  (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Getty Images)
Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Getty Images

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is on the verge of completing a move to Juventus, and his transfer could reportedly start a mass clearance of fringe players for the Gunners. Mathieu Debuchy's transfer to Nice won't go through, however.

The Italian champions took to Twitter on Tuesday to confirm Szczesny had landed in Turin, with his medical the next step in completing a deal:

JuventusFC @juventusfcen

πŸ‘πŸ‘ Two thumbs up for @13Szczesny13! πŸ‘πŸ‘ https://t.co/a7CPeDJp8q

Per the Daily Mirror's John Cross, he'll be the first of several players to leave the Gunners this summer, as Debuchy, Calum Chambers, Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs are also on their way out.

Cross linked Debuchy with Nice, but according to Uche Amako of the Daily Express, the Ligue 1 side have just signed Christophe Jallet on a free transfer. His arrival rules out a move for Debuchy.

Amako also added Lucas Perez to the list of potential departures.

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 07:  Wojciech Szczesny of AS Roma directs his defense during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 7, 2017 in Milan, Italy.  (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Szczesny has spent the last two seasons in Serie A with Roma and impressed greatly for the Giallorossi last season. The 27-year-old was arguably the best goalkeeper in Italy's top division, and his good form was always likely to lead to a move.

Juventus allowed back-up stopper Neto to join Valencia during the summer, and they needed to fill that position in a hurry. Young prospect Emil Audero has flashed tremendous potential, but he's far from ready to lead the Bianconeri in case Gianluigi Buffon gets injured.

Roma's goalkeeper from Poland Wojciech Szczesny (L) makes a save on AC Milan's defender from Colombia Cristian Zapata during the Italian Serie A football match AC Milan vs AS Roma at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Mai 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONT
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/Getty Images

Szczesny will have the chance to prove to the Italian champions he could be the long-term replacement for Buffon, who is 39 years old and expected to retire in the near future.

Per Fabrizio Romano of Sky Sport, the Italians are paying a relatively low fee for the Polish international:

Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano

Done deal! Szczesny from Arsenal to Juventus, €11/12M to Gunners for the GK. He'll arrive in Italy soon to sign. πŸ‡΅πŸ‡± #transfers #AFC

Debuchy is still expected to follow Szczesny out the door, even if Nice is no longer an option. The former Newcastle United man featured just once in the Premier League last season, a 16-minute cameo against Bournemouth.

According to the report, Debuchy's wage demands played a role in his transfer to Nice falling through, which could be a point of concern moving forward.