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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2. Calum Chambers

Contract expiry: 2022 (additional year extra)
Interested clubs: None known

It became known earlier in the window that Arsenal were open to offers for both Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari, two players who had struggled for minutes this season, with one of those now having moved on.

Given Mari has been loaned out to Udinese, the chances of Chambers following suit are admittedly slim. Arsenal may only have the Premier League left to play for this season, but they also currently have just three central defenders to see out the remaining 18 matches of the campaign.

There are two left-backs, two right-backs, and three central defenders. In keeping Chambers Arsenal have someone who can fill in for two of those positions in case injury strikes, even if he may be fourth choice for centre-back (behind Tomiyasu) and third choice for right-back.

Letting him go now would be a risky move, although the biggest issue might simply be that there are no known takers eyeing his signature. It’s all quiet on that front.

While you can never say never in the transfer window, with Mari departing it could mean Chambers sticks around.

Estimated departure likelihood: 2/10

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3. Mohamed Elneny

Contract expiry: 2022
Interested clubs: Super Lig sides

Arsenal can’t possibly let any more midfielder leave, surely? It would be remarkable for them to let another one go considering they are struggling to even sign one.

However, it was reported not long ago that there is concrete interest in the Egyptian’s services from Turkey this month. That has always felt like Elneny’s next destination having been on loan at Besiktas previously and continued to be linked with the Super Lig ever since, so could it happen again?

If Arsenal were to take whatever small fee they could, or indeed agree another contract termination, then it would be contingent on them signing possibly two midfielders this window. They would undoubtedly require one, since three options for 18 matches is lunacy, and with their struggles to land a single target it’s unlikely they’ll pull two off.

But, of course, nothing should ever be ruled out, even if it does feel like they can’t afford to be depleting the squad in key areas any more than they already have.

Estimated departure likelihood: 2/10

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4. Eddie Nketiah

Contract expiry: 2022
Interested clubs: Crystal Palace, Brighton, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen

With one striker who can barely last 70 minutes and another who hasn’t kicked a ball at the club since the beginning of December, the chances of Eddie Nketiah leaving in January have been slimmed.

Allowing Balogun to leave left Arsenal with three options – one who has been ousted – and that has made Nketiah the backup striker to Lacazette.

Patrick Vieira was asked about Crystal Palace’s interest in Nketiah and appeared to suggest that Arsenal had told his side the striker is not for sale, which would near enough nip this one in the bud. However, from Nketiah’s point of view, he will not want another six months of training sessions. He want to play. Of course he does.

While he can negotiate a more financially enticing deal when he’s out of contract, should Arsenal bring in another striker it may be that he pushes for a move away that could tempt the Gunners to cash in while they still can.

As it stands, it looks like he’s here to stay, although movement elsewhere could change that, just as Martinelli could be fielded as a centre-forward if needs be.

Estimated departure likelihood: 3/10

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5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Contract expiry: 2023
Interested clubs: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Marseille, PSG, AC Milan

There is a firm offer on the table for Aubameyang, one Arsenal would, under normal circumstances, be woe to turn down.

But these are far from normal circumstances as them allowing the former captain to go, regardless of how financially beneficial it may be, leaves them with two strikers out of contract in the summer who’ve netted a combined three Premier League goals this season.

The way back for Aubameyang looks bleak. Even if he is reintegrated into the team somehow, it’s highly unlikely Arsenal will get much return on someone whose form was already dire before the decision to strip him of the captaincy. Not match sharp and not suited how the team is playing, keeping him on could be no use to anyone.

Is there another striker incoming to replace him? It doesn’t look like it, if we’re being honest. The Vlahovic talk can be shelved with the player understandably wanting to wait until the summer, and other options are near impossible to secure this month.

As for Aubameyang, though, signs point more towards him leaving than staying.

Estimated departure likelihood: 7/10