By the time Arsenal step out on the Emirates Stadium turf to host Fulham, there will be five more days left of the summer transfer window.
With that said, there is a deadline this week that Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu might be keeping in mind also, as it will almost certainly have a major impact should they make a sixth signing before the side return to Premier League action at the weekend.
As things stand, three of Arsenal's five summer signings in Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira and Matt Turner will all be eligible to join Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in making their competitive debuts for the club when the Cottagers visit north London on Saturday evening - of course, that is on the condition that they are available for selection.
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But there is also a chance - albeit a slim one - that Arteta will have the option of handing out another debut if Edu can wrap up a £50m deal for Wolves star Pedro Neto after it was revealed that the 22-year-old is the 'mystery winger' that the Brazilian transfer chief has been targeting.
With the West Midlands outfit said to be unwilling to sell the three-capped Portugal ace this summer and in a strong negotiating position should they change their mind as the winger only signed a new long-term contract in March, it appears that this deal will be a difficult one for Arsenal to complete before deadline day let alone before this weekend's game at the Emirates.
Although, in the dream scenario where a deal is agreed for Neto he would be in contention to make his debut against Fulham. For that to happen, as per the Premier League regulations, the Gunners would have to register the talented winger, or any new signings, by 12 noon on Friday 26 August for him to be available for selection against Marco Silva's side.
A statement reads: 'Subject to the provisions of Rule V.1, the deadline for receipt by the Board of all duly completed documents required by these Rules to effect the registration of a Player shall be 12 noon on the last Working Day before the date of the first League Match in which the Club making the application intends him to play, save that the international transfer certificate and evidence of eligibility to take up employment in the United Kingdom (in both cases if applicable) may be provided thereafter (but must be provided before the Player is eligible to play for a Club in a League Match).'
Whether the Gunners are able to sign Neto before Friday's deadline or before the transfer window closes remains to be seen but the fact a deal does not appear to be imminent indicates, barring a major surprise, Arteta will choose from the same pool of players that featured against Bournemouth for the visit of Fulham.
If the 22-year-old does end up joining Arsenal by September 1 he could very well be a direct replacement for Nicolas Pepe as football.london understands that Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice are in talks to sign the Ivory Coast international on loan for the remainder of the season.
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