Arsenal Transfer News
Arsenal find themselves right in the middle of a title chase under Mikel Arteta this season. But as the January transfer window has now been open for over a week, no fresh faces have walked through the doors of the Emirates yet. The Gunners have witnessed a return from loan and a sale but none that have affected Mikel Arteta's first-team squad—just yet.
While the Gunners are chasing Liverpool at the top of the Premier League and trying to work their way through injury question marks with Bukayo Saka, Arteta has conceded that the club will be keeping tabs on the transfer market over the coming weeks. However, the manager also knows too well that the winter transfer window is always a nightmare, and a decent deal is not always easy to come by in January.
With the stakes high as Arsenal look to wrap up the title come May, the club cannot afford to slip up in their pursuit of top-quality reinforcements. Here, we delve into the latest transfer news and rumors coming out of the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta Names January Target: Nico Williams
Reports from The Athletic indicate that Spanish winger Nico Williams features on Mikel Arteta's transfer wishlist this January. The 21-year-old has been one of the sensations for Athletic Bilbao this season, and Arsenal, along with Chelsea and Liverpool, have reportedly shown interest in the talented forward.
Arteta wants to strengthen his attack this month, but signing Williams won't be easy. The winger has a release clause in his contract reportedly worth around €60 million, about £52m, which with inflation is seemingly higher. Still, Williams was never keen for a move from Bilbao - although reports claim he may have changed his tune and is ready to move into the Premier League, having previously wanted only Barcelona in summer.
Considering all the developments, financial requirements of a deal will make this transfer more possible this summer because Arsenal may not be able to fulfill the demands of the release clause in January.
Arsenal's Second Bid for Joan García Could Prove Successful
Arsenal aren't giving up on Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García just yet. After an offer of €20 million (£16.6 million) for the 23-year-old goalkeeper was turned down, Arsenal were made to understand that in order to sign him, they will have to meet his €30 million (£25.4 million) release clause price.
Sporting director Fran Garagarza had earlier revealed that Espanyol could let go of García any time soon, and according to reports from Sport Witness, the goalkeeper is still on the radar of the Gunners. Should Arsenal return with a second offer, the chances are Espanyol could be more open to negotiations as the Spanish team could see the transfer as a way of raking in some money.
The €30 million release clause remains in place, and Arsenal could have some obstacles to overcome. But a well-timed second bid may provide the breakthrough the north London club needs in the January window.
Paris Saint-Germain's Asking Price for Lee Kang-in a Potential Stumbling Block
Arsenal's interest in PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in reportedly is also strong, but valuation by the French club may thwart their plans for the South Korean playmaker. The Gunners have an interest in him, but at the valuation of PSG, Arsenal may never agree to it this month.
Lee Kang-in joined in summer, but he has hardly found a place for himself in the starting lineup, and that is where his potential availability becomes very interesting. Still, if PSG ask for a lot of money for his transfer, Arsenal might get cold feet.
The window reaches its midway point, and the Gunners would do well, but the waters will be well weighed by Mikel Arteta and Co. While currently in pole position to challenge for the title come May, his squad must be at its best to see out that push, which makes a busy month all but a formality. Deals for the likes of Nico Williams, Joan García, and Lee Kang-in may not cross the line quite so quickly, but Arsenal's search for quality reinforcements is far from complete.
Arteta and the club's recruitment team will continue to look at potential opportunities over the coming weeks but also understand the difficulties of doing business through a winter window. For now, the hope of the Arsenal faithful will be that the right moves are made to strengthen their squad as they target a first Premier League title since 2004.
Stay tuned for further updates on Arsenal's transfer activity as the month unfolds.
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