Arsenal's 9 transfer targets before January deadline

Arsenal’s 9 transfer targets before January deadline – list

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 23, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

6 of 9

BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 18: Arthur of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and Juventus at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on December 18, 2021 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /

6. Arthur – Juventus

Age: 25
Contract expiry: 2025
Rumoured fee: Loan with £25m buy option

It looked almost set in stone that Arsenal would sign Arthur this month. Desperately scrambling for a midfielder to bolster their heavily depleted ranks, Arteta and Edu sounded out someone whose technical ability they’re huge fans of.

A loan deal until the end of the season has edging closer to completion with the player keen on a Premier League switch to boost his chances of being recalled to the Brazil squad, only for a change of terms from Juventus to impact the Gunners’ chances of a deal.

Wanting an 18-month loan instead of a short-term deal threw a spanner in the works, while Villa’s pursuit of fellow Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur on a permanent deal heightens the need for Arthur to stay.

Going on a run of seven Serie A games without getting off the bench, Arthur has since been used in five of Juventus’ last six league outings with Allegri seemingly changing his mind on the 25-year-old. Equally, I Bianconeri’s inability to source a replacement has put the brakes on this move.

A loan would have suited Arsenal so they could then focus on their long-term targets in the summer, and while they haven’t given up hope on Arthur, it grows increasingly unlikely.

Verdict: Could have worked but seemed like an odd choice from the off.

Continued on next page…

Home/Arsenal News