Arsenal have had a quiet transfer window as far as new arrivals are concerned, and Mikel Arteta’s side are running out of time to add to a worryingly thin squad
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While Arsenal have been busy offloading their fringe players this January, fans have yet to see the influx of new players which some might have wanted or even expected.
Calum Chambers became the latest member of the Gunners squad to move on, joining Aston Villa in a surprise move on Thursday, with the defender describing his Villa Park switch as a “no-brainer”.
““I am extremely excited. It is a massive club and they are in a great moment. Everyone can see that from the outside,” the 27-year-old said after linking up with Steven Gerrard’s squad.
Arsenal have also offloaded Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the midfielder moving on loan to Roma, while the likes of Pablo Mari, Folarin Balogun and Tyreece John-Jules will also spend the rest of the season elsewhere.
In terms of incomings, although plenty of names have been linked – Dusan Vlahovic and Georginio Wijnaldum chief among them – Arteta is yet to add a new senior player to his squad.
With time running out for the Gunners, Mirror Football has taken a look at the state of play around 10 of the club’s most talked-about transfer targets.
Who should Arsenal make their priority before deadline day? Have your say in the comments section
Dusan Vlahovic
Fiorentina striker Vlahovic was one of the Gunners’ big targets, and it would have been a real statement if they’d been able to sign him, but that ship has sailed.
The Serbian is on his way to Juventus in a big-money deal, undergoing a medical with the Italian side, and agent Darko Ristic has explained his client’s choice.
“Juventus are always Juventus…” Ristic said. Pretty simple in the end.
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Alexander Isak
Sweden striker Isak is believed to have a release clause in his Real Sociedad contract, and Arsenal showed with their recruitment of Thomas Partey that they’re prepared to meet a Spanish club’s demands in this regard.
That looks unlikely to happen immediately with the 22-year-old, though, given it’s to the tune of €70million.
Arsenal believe they may be able to get him for less over the summer, and aren’t prepared to overspend at this stage. One to keep an eye on ahead of next season.
Jonathan David
David has been in impressive form this week, helping Canada move one step closer to the World Cup with a win in Honduras.
The Lille forward’s agent has suggested he could be willing to move on sooner rather than later after a real coming-of-age season in France, but Arsenal aren’t the only interested party.
Either way, a move is unlikely to happen until the summer, by which point demand will be fierce.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
This month isn’t the first time Arsenal have shown an interest in Everton and England frontman Calvert-Lewin, and he’s another unlikely to come cheap.
The main issue may be injuries, with the 24-year-old restricted to just six appearances so far this season, and Arsenal’s squad is already looking rather thin on the ground.
If they don’t get a striker through the door, he’s another who could be revisited in summer.
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Victor Osimhen
Osimhen has shown an ability to adapt to new surroundings since leaving Lille for Napoli in a deal worth nearly £70m, but the Serie A side are in no hurry to sell despite reported interest from Arsenal and Newcastle United.
If Napoli are to part ways with the Nigerian, they will want to turn a profit, and this could rule Arsenal out of the running. Atletico Madrid are understood to be keen.
Ollie Watkins
Watkins has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while, and Aston Villa’s big spending over the last two windows may leave some feeling they could entertain offers.
The former Brentford man is nowhere near the top of Arteta’s list, though, despite continuing to impress since Steven Gerrard took over at Villa Park. Despite the big-money signing of Danny Ings, he’s still the No.1 man in the West Midlands.
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Luka Jovic
Jovic has struggled in front of goal for Real Madrid, with a number of English clubs reportedly turning down the chance to add him to their ranks.
A move to Arsenal is not entirely out of the question, but Arsenal are believed to prefer a short-term loan and are unlikely to countenance a permanent move.
Diego Costa
Former Chelsea striker Costa is after a new club after leaving Atletico Mineiro, but might not be the best option for Arsenal despite noise around a potential Premier League return.
The Brazil-born Spain international hasn’t played for his adopted country since 2018, while his last 10-goal season at club level came five years ago.
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Arthur
Not all of Arsenal’s targets play up front, and Juventus midfielder Arthur has been on the Gunners’ radar throughout the transfer window.
Any move would only be a loan, but even this has stalled of late with the Italian club reportedly keen to identify and sign a replacement before letting the Brazilian go during this window.
Douglas Luiz
With Chambers moving to Villa, attention has turned towards Douglas Luiz amid suggestions of a move in the opposite direction.
Villa have yet to open contract talks with the former Manchester City midfielder, whose current deal runs out in 2023, and Steven Gerrard is believed to be unconvinced by the Brazilian’s ability to play as a sole holding midfielder.
Arsenal aren’t the only club interested in the 23-year-old, with another unnamed Premier League suitor in the mix, but there’s still a chance he moves before Monday’s deadline.
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