By Wayne Veysey

7th Jun, 2023 | 1:57pm

Two deals agreed: Brutal Arsenal 12-player clearout begins - sources

Arsenal are ready to let 12 players leave the club in a brutal summer clearout, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gunners are willing to listen to offers for five players who were at the club during the 2022-23 campaign, as well as seven who were out on loan.

Two summer deals have already been agreed – with Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari primed to join Bayer Leverkusen and Monza in respective permanent deals.

Mari has landed Arsenal a £4.4million fee after an option was activated in his loan agreement with Monza.

Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney is inching closer to a Gunners exit after a season on the fringes under Mikel Arteta.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (6 June) that Newcastle remain strong favourites to sign the left-back – and will make an official move soon.

It is believed that Arsenal are also willing to allow Rob Holding, Emile Smith Rowe and Charlie Patino leave following their limited involvement in the 2022-23 campaign.

A well-placed source has revealed that Folarin Balogun will be allowed to find a new club in the summer window despite his successful loan at Stade de Reims – where he netted 22 goals.

Left-back Nuno Tavares and winger Nicolas Pepe were also on loan in Ligue 1.

The duo are also up for sale as Arteta looks to rebuild his squad as the Londoners plot an assault on the Premier League and Champions League in the 2023-24 season.

Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cedric Soares had loans at Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively this term and will be part of the clearout at the Emirates Stadium.

Football Insider revealed last month (23 May) that newly-promoted Burnley are in talks with Arsenal over a loan-to-buy deal for Lokonga.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is out of contract following his season-long temporary spell at Southampton and will not see his deal renewed.

In other news, Arsenal ready to agree quick contract deal for key man.