Arsenal: 5 transfer moves that could happen before deadline

It’s getting into the nitty gritty of it now. While Arsenal have yet to sign anyone this summer, the clamour for them to do so is loud. They haven’t got much time left.

Watching events unfold in the Carabao Cup semi-final exit to Liverpool really ran home the importance of making new additions before the deadline.

In the midfield was where alarm bells were raised. Albert Sambi Lokonga is an emerging talent and someone who will go on to have a fine career, but at this stage of his development he isn’t at the level of other options in the squad, not least when he’s the only one of his position on the pitch.

Work is underway to solve that.

Arsenal: 5 transfer moves that could happen before the January window deadline as Mikel Arteta eyes new signings and further departures

Equally, the issues at centre-forward are severe. Arsenal boast three strikers who are either on their way out of the club, or trying to be moved on. Alexandre Lacazette has acted like a captain in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence, leading the line valiantly despite his deficiencies.

This team has taken huge strides across the season to get closer to a complete unit, with the No. 9 role one that can elevate this young group to new levels. It’s exciting to picture what this team could look like with a new focal point.

As far as departures are concerned there is also more work to do. Arsenal have sanctioned loan moves for Folarin Balogun, Pablo Mari and Ainsley Maitland-Niles this window, three deals that were added to by the mutual termination of Sead Kolasinac’s contract.

Will the club stop there? Quite possibly not. In the squad there are five more players who could seal transfers this window, and while there is no chance that all of them will leave, individually there are possibilities of more action in what is already a dramatic January.

1. Bernd Leno

Contract expiry: 2023
Interested clubs: Newcastle

Bernd Leno’s departure from Arsenal was tipped even before Aaron Ramsdale was signed. An interview back in the summer in which he openly expressed a desire for a new challenge seemed to put the writing on the wall.

Even after Ramsdale arrived and wrestled control of the number one jersey, the German’s move didn’t feel like it would happen this season, primarily due to more pressing matters within the squad.

Therefore the news of Arsenal negotiating a move for New England Revolution goalkeeper in January came as quite the surprise. A keeper few outside of MLS will have known much about, the USMNT number one looks increasingly likely to make the move to the Premier League this window in a deal said to be around the £10m mark.

Turner’s arrival would make him Ramsdale’s understudy, further damaging whatever faint hopes Leno might have had of playing before the season ended. With additional news of Newcastle eyeing a loan for the 29-year-old, it’s growing ever more likely than an early exit is on the cards for Leno this month as he seeks to keep his place in Germany’s national squad.

Estimated departure likelihood: 8/10

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