Report: Arsenal are already working on deal to sign ‘complete’ midfielder in January
Arsenal did not sign a central midfielder on deadline day but are already working on a deal to sign Danilo in January.
The Independent report that the Palmeiras midfielder was not a realistic prospect on the final day of the summer transfer window.
He is likelier to make a winter move to the Emirates Stadium and the groundwork has already been laid over that potential deal.
Douglas Luiz was the main priority target yesterday, but the fact he did not come in leaves the door open for Danilo in early 2023.
Of course it might depend on the situation Arsenal find themselves in during January, by which time the World Cup will have of course happened too.
They are currently top of the Premier League but the Europa League is about to kick back in, meaning it is three games a week now.
That may stretch a squad which currently has just two fit central midfielders at present, but by January the injury situations of Mo Elneny and Thomas Partey will be more clear.
Youri Tielemans is another player who could be an option in January and like Luiz, he is into the final year of his current contract.
It remains to be seen who comes to the top of the transfer wishlist in the winter, with another winger to give cover and competition to Bukayo Saka also an option.
The transfer operation at Arsenal will not stand still, they will keep on planning for subsequent transfer windows as soon as the previous one has passed.