Arsenal's January transfer window has been notably subdued thus far, with the Gunners enjoying a strong Premier League campaign under Mikel Arteta as they pursue their first title since 2004. However, behind the scenes, sporting director Andrea Berta is poised to finalise a couple of contrasting deals in the coming days, balancing potential arrivals with necessary exits.
Injury Concerns Ease and Squad Dynamics Shift
As injury worries begin to subside, Mikel Arteta is gradually moving closer to having a fully fit squad at his disposal. This anticipated completeness is expected to result in reduced playing time for peripheral figures within the team. Youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who falls into this category, is already heading to Marseille on a loan deal to secure more minutes.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko remains away from the club on a temporary arrangement, but his situation could be subject to change following candid comments from Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche and interest from another unnamed club.
Liverpool Lead Race for Arsenal-Linked Forward
In significant transfer news, Liverpool are reportedly preparing to make a formal approach for RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, a player long admired by Arsenal. The German club has set a firm asking price of €100 million (£87 million), signalling that any negotiations will only commence at that substantial figure.
According to reports, Liverpool's interest is currently the most advanced, with the Reds expected to table a formal bid in the coming months. They view Diomande as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. Arsenal have monitored the player for two years and consider him a possible heir to Gabriel Martinelli, but club officials are reluctant to engage in a costly bidding war.
Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United are also said to be keeping tabs on Diomande, though it is believed they either have other immediate priorities or are not prepared to make such a significant financial commitment at this stage.
Chelsea's Defensive Pursuit and Arsenal's Interest
There has been a notable development in Chelsea's negotiations with Rennes for highly-regarded defender Jeremy Jacquet. While personal terms have reportedly been agreed with the player, a fee agreement between the clubs remains elusive. This has prompted speculation that Jacquet may remain in France for the rest of the season before completing a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Arsenal have also been mentioned as potential suitors for the defender, with Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi suggested as an alternative option should the Gunners decide to bolster their backline.
Real Madrid Midfielder on Arsenal's Radar
In another intriguing development, ESPN claims that Real Madrid's Turkish international Arda Guler is on Arsenal's radar. Guler started the campaign as a pivotal figure in Xabi Alonso's midfield setup, and Madrid's decision not to pursue Martin Zubimendi was partly based on their confidence in the young midfielder's potential.
However, his playing time and performances have declined in recent months, and his future role under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa remains uncertain. Arsenal currently have no intention of making any major moves this window unless an exceptional opportunity arises in the final fortnight. Any concrete interest in Guler is far more likely to materialise in the summer transfer window.
As the January window enters its final two weeks, Arsenal's strategy appears cautious and calculated, with the club focusing on long-term targets while managing their current squad dynamics. The potential for late activity remains, but any significant business is likely to be deferred until the summer months.
