The one transfer Arsenal expect to complete before deadline

Arsenal are frantically trying to bolster their squad before the January transfer window slams shut on Monday, which is so far proving a troublesome task.

A move for Dusan Vlahovic has fallen through due to the striker’s preference to join Juventus this month, while fellow target Alexander Isak is not thought to be keen on joining Mikel Arteta’s side in mid-season either.

Midfield is high up on the agenda with Arsenal only boasting three options in the centre of the park currently, a number that will rise to four when Mohamed Elneny returns from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

As per Mark Mann-Bryans, the 29-year-old was under serious consideration for Galatasaray this winter in a move that would have seen him depart before his deal expires in the summer. Given Arsenal’s struggles to bring in more bodies in that position, that move looks increasingly unlikely.

Matt Turner is the only transfer Arsenal expect to complete before the January window’s deadline with midfield and striker still on the agenda

Amid swirling rumours of interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and others, the increasingly expensive and difficult deals that would need to be pulled off their preferred targets has led Arsenal to concede that they may not bring in any new faces before deadline day.

Knowing that the squad needs that additional injection of quality, particularly at No. 9, the mood in and around the club will be one of concern with just a few days left to go to complete any deals.

As it stands, the only deal that looks like being completed in time is one for New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner.

The American was a surprise link to emerge given the Gunners are currently well stocked in that department. Bernd Leno’s future at Arsenal was always due to come to an end in the summer due to his desire for regular playing time to keep his place in the German national team, and the £5m signing of Turner signals that an early departure is on the cards.

But this is the transfer window. Things change quickly. Very quickly, most of the time.

Few anticipated that Bruno Guimaraes would be joining Newcastle in January, especially since he was being courted by major sides across the continent and would improve most midfields in the Premier League.

Time is very much of the essence, though. Edu is already unfairly receiving dog’s abuse this window by people who have forgotten the work undertaken in the very recent summer, and a twist in the tale should never be discounted

If there are no targets out there the club deem attainable or wise to sign in this window then rushing into decisions isn’t beneficial in the short or long term. You can’t help but feel, however, that this squad needs help to secure top four. Especially at centre-forward.