Arsenal appear to be closing in on their first two signings of the summer transfer window...

What's the word?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have reached an agreement with Benfica over the transfer of left-back Nuno Tavares, who is expected to cost the club around €8m (£6.8m) plus add-ons.

He also revealed that the North Londoners are now working to complete a move for Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Writing on Twitter, Romano said:

"Arsenal have an agreement signed with Benfica for Nuno Tavares since yesterday. Done deal, no doubt. Fee will be €8m, plus add ons. Nuno will sign until June 2026 - he’s in London to undergo his medical.

"Arsenal now working to complete also Lokonga signing."

Getting things done!

It certainly seems as if sporting director Edu Gaspar and the rest of the Gunners' hierarchy is going about their business quietly as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta's playing squad for 2021/22.

Arsenal finished in eighth place last term, meaning they will miss out on European football for the first time in 25 years.

There are now around five to six weeks until the new campaign gets underway, so it has to be hugely encouraging to see the club signing players early - they have also been linked to some more exciting names in Brighton defender Ben White and Italy's Euro 2020 star Manuel Locatelli.

With Tavares, current first-choice left-back Kieran Tierney will be getting some solid competition, whilst it also presents the opportunity for him to be played in a back-three, just like Arteta did at times last season and just as he plays for Scotland.

And in Lokonga, the Gunners could be getting some much-needed squad depth, with as many as three central midfielders set to depart the Emirates Stadium.

Granit Xhaka looks set to join Jose Mourinho at AS Roma in a €20m (£18m) deal, Matteo Guendouzi is closing in on a move to Marseille, and Lucas Torreira is reportedly up for sale, too.

All in all, it appears Arteta has identified how to overhaul his squad and the board are prepared to back him in doing so. Therefore, it could well be an exciting time to be a Gunners fan, heading into a season where they will need to deliver results on the pitch to get back on track. Arsenal supporters will almost certainly be buzzing with Romano's update.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Bellerin: Edu can strike gold with Arsenal swoop for "special" £20m-rated gem...