The summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Arsenal eye possible reinforcements.

The Gunners spent more than many expected last summer - most notably their club-record purchase of Nicolas Pepe - but were more reserved in January as they focused on bolstering their defensive options.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings at the Emirates Stadium.

Wednesday morning's Arsenal transfer talk news roundup:

Atletico Madrid demand £45m fee up front for Arsenal target Thomas Partey?

Atletico Madrid are reportedly refusing to budge on their demands for Arsenal target Thomas Partey with a week of the transfer window to go.

The Gunners are believed to be in the market for a central midfielder ahead of the May 5 deadline, with Lyon's Houssem Aouar another possible option.

However, The Athletic states that Arsenal have no chance of signing Partey for anything less than his full £45m release clause, which is expected to be out of their price range.

Ghana international Partey, a second-half substitute in Atleti's 6-1 La Liga win over Granada at the weekend, is under contract at the Wanda Metropolitano for another three years.

Meanwhile, a separate report suggests that Arsenal may yet use Lucas Torreira as a possible makeweight in a deal for the 27-year-old.

Torreira has not been involved for Arsenal this season and is deemed surplus to requirements by boss Mikel Arteta.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang urges Arsenal to sign Houssem Aouar

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has urged the club to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar this summer.

Aouar has been persistently linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, with manager Mikel Arteta understood to have earmarked him as a top midfield target along with Thomas Partey.

The Gunners have already seen one bid for the 22-year-old rejected, but they are expected to return with an improved offer and Aubameyang has given the pursuit his backing.

"He's a very good player. I hope we will be lucky to have these types of players at the club, I'm sure he can bring a lot to us," Aubameyang is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"I hope he will come even though he's a Lyonnais."

Arsenal have also been linked with Chelsea's Jorginho in their search for a new midfielder before the transfer deadline.

More transfer news from Arsenal:

Jean-Michel Aulas confirms "timid" second Arsenal offer for Houssem Aouar
Arsenal have had a second offer turned down for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, the French club's president Jean-Michel Aulas confirms. Read more.

Arsenal 'set Houssem Aouar deadline by Lyon'
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas suggests that Houssem Aouar will only join Arsenal if a deal can be completed by Friday. Read more.