Arsenal Include Folarin Balogun on 8-Man January Transfer List

Arsenal are preparing to move on eight players to fund a squad overhaul.

Who ever said January was the worst time of the year? As we’re heading into the winter window, Arsenal have already dished up enough rumours to feed the whole of the month.

Widely reported and accepted is that outgoings are first on the agenda for Mikel Arteta‘s side. The squad is far too big, but equally, full of players no longer wanted or deemed of use.

Two players have already left the club on loan in William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac, while work is being done to move on even more defenders.

Sokratis looks closest to sealing a January move away to Genoa, while Shkodran Mustafi is attracting interest this window ahead of his contract expiring with the Gunners in the summer.

https://twitter.com/fbalogun67/status/1346220418563252226

As per the Independent, other exits are being eyed up by Arteta as he seeks to overhaul his squad and reduce the wage bill before making additions. Any incomings are dependent on players leaving, and while ideally players will be brought in during January, the options available, finances and the difficulty of the market may hint more towards summer acquisitions.

Mohamed Elneny has been mentioned in the report as someone who could be moved on, a claim that counters a previous development that states Arsenal would prefer to keep the Egyptian until the summer. Mesut Ozil’s future, on the other hand, remains up in the air.

Calum Chambers is someone who could also be moved on. The defender has battled his way back from a long-term injury and made his return in this season’s Europa League, but with Arsenal set to hand Rob Holding a long-term contract, another central defender being eyed and Saliba due to return for next season, he has been deemed dispensable.

Also on the list are Hale End duo Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson, two players who could be moved this window as potential makeweights in any Emi Buendia deal. Despite both being on the transfer list, Arsenal are mindful that loan deals are would be preferred with a view on the pair having bigger roles at the Emirates in the future.

However, the final place has been taken up by a surprise inclusion.