After a busy summer in the transfer market, Arsenal could be about to get active in the once more when the January window opens.
Mikel Arteta's transfer targets have done the business so far, with the addition of Gabriel Jesus in attack the most noticeable difference. The Brazilian has helped the Gunners climb to the top of the Premier League table, while fellow new additions Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos have all featured to varying degrees.
The league leaders didn't land all their targets in the summer, though, with a late flurry of bids for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz falling flat. This means they could open their wallets once more in the new year, with a £50m spree reportedly in the works, and Mirror Football has taken a closer look at some of the players linked with a move to north London.
Danilo
With Douglas Luiz signing a new deal at Villa Park, Arsenal could turn their attentions to a different Brazilian. The Gunners have had success buying directly from the South American country in the past, with Gabriel Martinelli the most obvious example, and Danilo has been making a name for himself in his homeland.
The defensive midfielder was part of the Palmeiras team which won the 2020 and 2021 Copa Libertadores, starting both finals. He has also been a regular in the league this term, helping Abel Ferreira's team clinch the Serie A title with four league games to spare.
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According to The Sun, Arsenal are preparing to test Palmeiras' resolve with a £26m bid during the Brazilian off-season. Palmeiras have fallen short in their quest for a third straight continental title, losing to Atletico Paranaense in the semi-finals of this season's Copa Libertadores, and there could now be renewed interest in the 21-year-old.
Youri Tielemans
Another midfield option is a man who will be much more familiar to Premier League fans. Leicester midfielder Tielemans is out of contract at the end of the season and isn't expected to sign a new deal, so a cut-price January move could be on the cards.
Leicester were reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Belgian international on transfer deadline day in September, but he ended up staying at the King Power Stadium. Arsenal were linked earlier in the summer, but the two clubs' valuations of the former Monaco man were thought to differ.
The 25-year-old would come with proven Premier League quality, having made more than 100 appearances in the competition since joining Leicester on an initial loan when Claude Puel was still their manager. He has played in all 12 of the Foxes' league games this season, scoring twice.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Lazio midfielder Milinkovic-Savic is no stranger to the gossip columns, and Arsenal aren't the only ones to have been linked with the Serbian. Manchester United are also believed to have been admirers in the past, but the 27-year-old remains a Lazio player for the time being.
A goal threat who can also operate in a deeper role, the former Genk man has 51 Serie A goals since joining Lazio in 2015. He also had a part to play in his country's qualification for the 2022 World Cup, playing the full 90 minutes as Aleksandar Mitrovic's late goal decided a winner-take-all qualifier in the Serbs' favour.
Arsenal are reportedly "willing to do anything" to land the star, having made inquiries over the summer. This could even see them offer Albert Sambi Lokonga in part-exchange for a man valued at around £60m.
Yeremy Pino
Another summer target whose name has re-emerged is Yeremy Pino. The Spanish winger was heavily linked over the summer, with Villarreal said to be ready to listen to offers after missing out on the Champions League, but Pino ultimately stayed at El Madrigal.
Arsenal are not short of options in the wide forward slots, and their failure to land the 20-year-old has allowed Gabriel Martinelli to kick on this season. However, with Emile Smith Rowe potentially out of action until the new year, Pino is one of a number of players mentioned in connection with a move.
After scoring seven times last season, the Las Palmas-born winger has only netted once this time around. He has a release clause of £67.5m, but fresh reports suggest a bid of around £25m might be enough, with the Yellow Submarine sitting outside the top four in LaLiga once again.
Alex Baena
Pino isn't the only Villarreal starlet linked with the Gunners. 21-year-old winger Baena spent last season on loan at Girona, helping the Catalan club earn promotion back to the top flight, and has impressed this season after being brought into the first team.
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery put his trust in the youngster before jumping ship for Aston Villa, and Baena repaid him with eight goals in 17 appearances. The last of those was followed by a moment of controversy, with the left-sided talent shown a second yellow card after using his celebration to pay tribute to Villarreal's late vice president.
If Arsenal are to move for the Spain under-21 international, they could face competition from Liverpool. Villarreal are said to want upwards of £30m for Baena, who was an unused substitute in both legs of their Europa League semi-final victory over the London side in 2021.
Mykhaylo Mudryk
Arsenal were also linked with Mudryk over the summer, with a handful of other Premier League sides in the mix. The 'Ukrainian Neymar' stayed at Shakhtar Donetsk, though, and his form this season might have added a few million to his price tag.
In five Champions League appearances this season, the 21-year-old has scored three goals. The tally includes home and away strikes against Celtic to ensure Shakhtar will be playing European football after the turn of the year, and if he can help deliver three points at home to RB Leipzig then the Ukrainian side will earn a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League.
In early October, Shakhtar director of football Darijo Srna warned that the former Arsenal Kyiv loanee will not come cheap. "If he had a Brazilian passport, he would be worth €100m. If someone wants him, they will have to pay a lot of money," the Croatian said.
