Arsenal are expected to leave captain Cesc Fabregas out of the touring party that departs for a German training camp on Thursday as he attempts to force through a move to Barcelona.
Fabregas has repeatedly expressed his desire to leave the Emirates this summer and return to the club where he began his career. Manager Arsene Wenger is now resigned to losing the Spain international but has given Barcelona until the end of July to resolve the ongoing saga.
"We know that this story for Barcelona goes on for years now and we have to close that and for ourselves to focus on the season, hopefully with Cesc Fabregas," Wenger said.
The Frenchman is keen to find a replacement for Fabregas before the transfer window closes on 31 August, with reports today linking Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo and Southampton youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with the north London outfit.
Speculation surrounding Fabregas has eclipsed a comparatively quiet summer at the Emirates. Carl Jenkinson and the £10.6m Gervinho remain the club's only signings thus far.
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Wenger's number one priority remains a central defender to partner Thomas Vermaelen. Reports in today's press suggest Arsenal are lining up a £10m bid for Birmingham City defender Scott Dann after becoming frustrated by Bolton's demands for Gary Cahill.
Meanwhile, Wenger is under pressure from the Arsenal board to bring in a big-name signing this summer.
Emirates officials are worried that Gervinho is the only significant purchase this summer and have urged the Frenchman to spend some of the "significant funds" available to him, The Sun reports.
The club's fans and shareholders have become increasingly frustrated by a perceived reticence on Wenger part to purchase a marquee signing.
The news comes in the wake of Chelsea's attempts to sign Anderlecht's 18-year-old striker Romelu Lukaku. Arsenal had been linked with a move for the teenager, but Chelsea are the only club to have made a firm bid for the Belgian international, BBC Sport reports, although the fee they have offered is unkown.
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