Vlahovic sign, Nketiah to join London Rival,Toney open to Arsenal move’: Arsenal incoming and outgoing deals that is set to completed this January
Mikel Arteta will need to be creative in the January transfer window if Arsenal are to make any permanent signings. The Gunners spent big this past summer with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz all bought for a combined £200million with David Raya later joining on loan, although the £27million buy option is set to be triggered.
Parting ways with such a significant amount while also not sealing any marquee departures, minus the £34million exit of Folarin Balogun, has left Arteta and Edu with minimal wriggle room for January. Arsenal have still been linked with numerous players, however it is expected that none will be signed until the end of the season.
Of course, it is entirely possible that stance changes with loan chances or swap deal opportunities sure to pique the interest of Arteta. Selling a first-team player could also garner funds to then use in the market and there are a number of options that could be explored.
Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson all have interest from elsewhere after being given minimal game time in north London this season. West Ham have been linked with a move for Nelson while another London club in Crystal Palace have a firm interest in Nketiah, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
However, while the stance from the Emirates Stadium remains that he is not for sale, that could certainly change if Arteta can welcome an instant upgrade. Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney have both been linked with Arsenal but a switch in January appears virtually impossible, though a move for Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic may not be.
The Serbia international has scored six goals in Serie A this season and is frequently linked with an exit from Italy. Premier League rivals Chelsea have also looked at Vlahovic as a solution to their striker problems, but it is perhaps Arsenal who need him more for the final half of the 2023/24 season.
Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, while still vastly different options, do not have the attributes of someone like Vlahovic with his large frame and strong aerial ability. Given it would be a mid-season move, Juventus would need a heathy package to be convinced to sell and including Nketiah in a swap deal, for example, would be completely unrealistic.
However, entering negotiations with Crystal Palace for Nketiah before selling him could then give Arsenal the chance to push for Vlahovic in the later stages of the window. Again, it would be a significant challenge to seal the move, especially with Juventus’ current stance that he will not leave, however that could easily change depending on the circumstances.
