Arsenal: Arteta makes €40m January transfer decision

There are times when you’ll be trying to get some sleep at night only for one pesky fly to be buzzing around in your bedroom preventing you from doing so. The Dejan Kulusevski to Arsenal rumours feel a bit like that.

Said fly isn’t taking over your every thought, but when an effort is made to focus on something else the irritating insect will fuzz off somewhere else. The continuing reports out of Italy linking the Gunners with this deal need swatting away.

As the January transfer window approaches the amount of speculation surrounding all clubs, not just Arsenal, mounts in volume. From what has been said so far Arsenal are not only destined to sign Kulusevski, they’re also readying a big-money move for Noa Lang.

Two wide forwards in one window? Something doesn’t add up.

Mikel Arteta makes €35m January transfer decision as Arsenal look to sign Juventus forward Dejan Kulusevski

But the reports of Arsenal being interested in Kulusevski are at least plentiful, even if the legitimacy of these claims are debatable.

The latest line coming out of Italy’s Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) claims that Mikel Arteta is ‘advocating’ the purchase of the Sweden international and Juventus are growing increasingly keen on shipping him out in the January window.

It’s been a story gathering some momentum of late as Arsenal have gone from ‘making an inquiry’ to seemingly putting all the pieces in order to launch a bid.

When the rumours all begin emanating from the same place from sources that aren’t always trustworthy it’s best to take a backseat and let everything unfold. As it stands, any move for Kulusevski is highly questionable, even if there is a strong chance the Gunners are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old as a possible replacement for someone else.

His future does look like being away from Juventus as he struggles to wrestle back his place in the starting lineup, and coming out publicly and stating that he would be keen on a move elsewhere only pushes him closer to the exit door.

As for the fee, varying reports have Juventus wanting between €30m to €40m. The latter of those comes from this source, which says that is the minimum I Bianconeri would accept. Again, plenty of ambiguity on the asking price which is never especially reassuring.

What is certain is that these rumours will persist – like that darn fly behind the curtain – and until some news emerges from UK sources or other more recognised Italian journalists, it would be best to avoid getting to attached to Kulusevski – even if he is a very promising talent.