Arsenal are plotting shock moves for Alex Baena, Nicolo Tresoldi and Can Uzun, according to reports, as the January transfer window approaches with just over two months to go.
The Gunners are expected to be very busy in the New Year after a disappointing end to the summer that has so far not hindered their Premier League title defence. There continues to be much focus on Julian Alvarez, though it is now being reported by FootballTransfers that they are instead reigniting their interest in Atletico Madrid team-mate Alex Baena.
CaughtOffside also claim that Arsenal have already made an approach for Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Can Uzun and are exploring a deal for Club Brugge frontman Nicolo Tresoldi, who is represented by the same agency - '11Wins'.
Arsenal eye shock swoop for Nicolo Tresoldi
Arsenal are pursuing a surprise January deal for Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, reports claim. The Italian-born German forward is in high demand after scoring plenty of goals already this season and shining in the Champions League.
Arsenal have been most strongly linked with Tresoldi, with The Sun claiming that they are eyeing a swoop for his services in January - likely as an alternative to Julian Alvarez, with Viktor Gyokeres' future at the club now subject to significant doubt.
However, TEAMtalk also say that Club Brugge have no intention of losing their prized asset in January and would eventually demand a fee more than the Belgian record £33.5m that Arsenal paid them for Greek winger Christos Tzolis during the summer transfer window. Arsenal are likely to face a huge fight for Tresoldi, who is also said to have interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and boyhood idols AC Milan, plus plenty of other clubs including Chelsea.
Bournemouth chief issues Alex Scott contract talks update
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley insists the club "haven't given up" trying to convince Chelsea target Alex Scott to sign a new contract with the Cherries. Bournemouth rejected a £64million bid for Scott from Chelsea in the summer and subsequent approaches from other major clubs in England but have since softened their not-for-sale stance. But Foley and the Cherries have not lost hope that Scott might still commit his future to the south coast club.
He told TalkSport: "At this point, we're convinced we're the right place for Alex to be and to stay, and we'll keep on addressing the contract issues with Alex as we move through this year. We'd love to have Alex stay here."
Man Utd target Lewis Hall and Adrien Truffert in overhaul
Manchester United are plotting a January defensive overhaul as they desperately seek to rescue their season. A horror start to the campaign for the Red Devils hit a new low on Wednesday evening as they were demolished 4-1 away at Serie A side Como in the Champions League, piling more huge pressure on under-fire manager Michael Carrick.
It once again highlighted United's major problems at the back, with The i reporting that they will look to correct those issues strongly in the New Year. Man Utd are expected to reignite their interest in Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall and are also keen on the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite at Everton and Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert.
United appear to be split on their preferred successor to under-fire manager Michael Carrick, with Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and even Unai Emery all potentially in the frame. However, they would have to pay a world-record fee for Fabian Hurzeler, who does not want to leave Brighton anyway.
Chelsea plot Yasin Ayari move in Alex Scott twist
Chelsea are interested in signing Yasin Ayari, reports claim. The Blues are actively looking to strengthen their midfield options in January after a Deadline Day swoop for Monaco's Lamine Camara collapsed at the 11th hour in the summer following the sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City.
Chelsea are locked in a battle with Liverpool for Bournemouth and England star Alex Scott, though they could also be set to raid Brighton once again. According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea have joined Galatasaray in the race for Swedish international Ayari amid his stalled contract negotiations at the Amex Stadium. Ayari has only one year left to run on his current deal on the south coast, though Brighton retain the option to extend it automatically by a further 12 months.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are said to be 'hot on the trail' of Como's Nico Paz after he picked Manchester United apart in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Per reports from Tutto Mercato, Real Madrid hold a buyback option worth €80m for the Argentine, but Como will demand far more than that for any other interested clubs - Chelsea included. The Blues have dispatched scouts to watch him on multiple occasions, and Tottenham reportedly saw multiple bids rejected for him in the summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a stunning return to Liverpool, who are also monitoring Kylian Mbappe's situation closely as they chase Gilberto Mora and Chelsea's Malo Gusto, while a new striker is top of Tottenham's wishlist with eyes on Endrick.
