It is not always about which players a club signs in a transfer window, sometimes it can be about players being sold and how much is raised, Alex Iwobi going to Everton for £30 Million being a prime example.
And in terms of players being sold to non-Premier League clubs, the transfer window remains very much open.
Therefore, there is still time for Arsenal to pull off one last transfer masterstroke and if they manage to offload Shkodran Mustafi for a decent price then they will certainly have achieved that.
Unai Emery has admitted that he spoke to the German about selling him. “I spoke with him when we finished last season,” Emery said of Mustafi. “I spoke with him when we started pre-season and I spoke with him also two weeks ago saying maybe there was the possibility he can leave.
“But I don’t have doubts if he needs to play because he is a good player. Maybe we decided to be more competitive in each position, at centre-back with David Luiz, with another player in the middle with Ceballos, with Kieran Tierney, with Pepe.
“I think being more competitive we can respond better in the season. Some players maybe they can play less with that situation and can leave.
“But it’s one decision taken with the player, with the club, with the team. At the moment he is here and really if we need, he plays with us. I have confidence he will do well.
“Some supporters can believe or like one player more than another player, that’s normal. But inside I want to be strong and to create a big squad with a big, competitive, winning mentality and above us, with confidence in each other.”
Not sure that could be any clearer, to be honest, and while Emery has said all the right things if Mustafi remains at the Emirates, it is also fairly evident that if a club comes in for the German with an acceptable offer before September 2nd then he will be sold.
Of course, if Mustafi refuses to leave there is not much the club can do but with four games before the European transfer windows close and if he does not get a game then that could certainly help him change his mind.
If I was a betting man then I would be very tempted to put a little bit of money on the 27-year-old leaving the club at some point this month.
Well, we can hope anyway.