DEAL DONE – Fabrizio says Arsenal seal move for Top talented star on a season long move after player joined Gunners following disastrous spell at old club, Medicals expected to be completed today, jersey number to be announced
Arsenal have tabled an offer to sign one club’s “very important” player, as manager Mikel Arteta personally plans to overhaul a key area.
Edu transfer plans hit January speedbumps
After spending over £200 million on new signings last summer, recent reports state that Arsenal transfer chief Edu will have a slightly more limited January budget at his disposal (Miguel Delaney).
The club will also have to be careful in regard to Financial Fair Play, as Everton’s double-sanction this season proves, with Nottingham Forest also being charged for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
Arteta has been keen on bolstering a number of key positions in his Arsenal squad, with some previous reports suggesting that the Spaniard would ideally like to sign two new full-backs, a centre midfielder and a striker.
The forward area is a particular weakness which has grabbed more attention of late, and it was on full display during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium recently.
Arteta’s side spurned a host of glorious chances to open the scoring against Liverpool, but their lack of cutting edge offered the Merseysiders an opportunity to nick a win and sail through to the next round.
Arsenal are also short in terms of full-back numbers due to a few injuries, namely to summer signing Jurrien Timber who ruptured his ACL on the opening day of the season. The Gunners are targeting a new right/left-back as a result, with reliable transfer source Fabrizio Romano claiming it is a “possibility” before January 31.
“A new full-back for Arsenal? Yes it is a possibility, it is a possibility for Arsenal to bring in a new full-back in January,” said Romano earlier this month.
“They have to see what opportunity they can find, if it’s a loan deal, but Arsenal are exploring options in that position, they are in the full-backs market, I can confirm that, there is a possibility, there is a chance, we will have to see, but I think it’s a possibility.”
This week, as per Football Transfers, it appears Arsenal are attempting to make headway in their pursuit of a new defender, with news emerging on Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Arsenal table Rayan Ait-Nouri bid
According to the outlet, Arsenal have tabled a bid to sign Ait-Nouri this month, with Wolves giving a reply. The Molineux side have rebuffed their proposal, with Gary O’Neil and co holding out for around £50 million if he is to leave in January. Liverpool are also registering their interest in Ait-Nouri, who’s starred for the Old Gold this season.
This comes as Arteta personally plans to have “four top-class inverted fullbacks” in his squad, with Arsenal preparing to overhaul their full-back area as a result.
Ait-Nouri would be a stellar option if Edu can come back in and strike a deal, with journalist Dean Jones claiming O’Neil sees the 22-year-old as a “very important” player (GiveMeSport).
