Arsenal could be about to start conducting their summer transfer business, if emerging reports are to be believed...

What's the word?

Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has dropped an exciting new claim on Twitter, saying:

"Arsenal now working to sell players, then... new signings soon.

"Guendouzi wants to join OM, Xhaka deal with AS Roma at final stages. Price tag around €20m for Bellerin, same for Torreira [not advanced with Lazio]."

Deadwood out, signings in

If the journalist is to be believed, then it seems like Mikel Arteta and co could be shifting on the deadwood before he looks to bolster his playing squad with the right additions.

The Gunners missed out on European football for the first time in 25 years last season with another eighth-place finish, but defeat in the Europa League semi-finals curtailed their prospects of qualifying for any of UEFA's three club competitions.

It's fair to suggest that a mini-overhaul is needed to get the north London giants firing on all cylinders once again, yet it remains to be seen what sort of budget is at the Spaniard's disposal.

As evident above, he must first shift on several outcasts or unwanted players. Matteo Guendouzi fell out of favour under Arteta to the point of him being forced out on loan to Bundesliga strugglers Hertha Berlin. Clearly, he did not make much of an impact as they seem willing to offload him to Marseille.

Meanwhile, Roma manager Jose Mourinho has stepped up interest in Granit Xhaka in recent weeks. The Swiss midfielder, who has had his run-ins with the Emirates Stadium faithful in the past, is expected to finally leave the Emirates Stadium in a deal which could earn the club around €20m (£18m).

Hector Bellerin and Lucas Torreira are also on the chopping block, which means there are gaps to fill, particularly in central midfield and right-back.

Once these players are out the door, the Arsenal hierarchy can start pushing ahead with their plans for new faces, which will come as hugely encouraging news for the Gunners faithful.

They have been linked with a £50m move for Ben White in the past week and that could become more likely with the aforementioned quartet out the door.

Sporting director Edu Gaspar and co are certainly planning the right moves to try and sort out the mess on the pitch, so Arsenal fans should start to get excited ahead of next season.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Xhaka: Edu could land Arsenal their next Vieira in £49.5m-rated "huge talent"...