Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he could potentially sign a midfielder in the closing days of the transfer window despite a near £50m winter outlay already.
The table-topping Gunners have seen their options in the centre of the park dwindle with an injury to Egyptian Mohamed Elneny. Speaking on the back of that blow, Arteta said: “We need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can. In this market it’s pretty complicated to do that.”
Whether the Gunners turn to the transfer market or to their own squad in which to fix their current midfield conundrum remains to be seen. With just a few days remaining of the January window, they need to get a move on if they hope to make a third winter signing.
Take a look at some of the standout options that could present themselves to the Gunners over the coming days:
Moises Caicedo
Having already signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton earlier this month, Arsenal could raid the Seagulls once more with a move for Ecuadorian midfielder Caicedo. The 21-year-old has impressed on the South Coast over the last couple of seasons and has caught the eye of the Gunners.
A deal might be difficult to pull off this month though with Brighton expected to demand north of £70m for his services. Chelsea are also reportedly interested in making a move and will hope to repeat the move that saw them hijack the Gunners’ swoop for former Shakhtar Donetsk wideman Mykayhlo Mudryk earlier this month.
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Amadou Onana
Should Arsenal be left frustrated in their pursuit of Caicedo, a somewhat more affordable option could potentially be Everton ’s Amadou Onana. Reports have suggested that Arsenal have already approached the Toffees regarding a £50m switch.
The former Lille man has missed out on training with Everton over the past couple of days which could suggest that a potential move could be in the pipeline. It remains to be seen whether the Merseyside outfit would be willing to sell the 21-year-old having only signed him in the summer.
They also remain keen on retaining their key players considering the current plight they find themselves in.
Martin Zubimendi
Should Arsenal look abroad for midfield depth, Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi could potentially be a realistic option. The Spaniard has shone in LaLiga over the past three seasons and it appears that Arsenal have already made a move to sign him.
According to reports in Spain, the North London side lodged a bid that activated the £53m release clause written into his contract. However, he was reportedly not interested in making a mid-season switch.
That situation could potentially change as the deadline draws near but the Gunners will have to be aware of interest from Barcelona, who are also admirers.
Weston McKennie
Regularly linked with a switch to the Premier League, the American could leave Juventus sooner rather than later due the Italian side’s woeful financial position. The Serie A giants have been deducted 15 points due to incorrect reporting of their own finances.
That might force American international McKennie to bid farewell to Turin. Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Leeds have already lodged an offer for his services so it remains to be seen if the Gunners attempt to compete.
The former Schalke star’s Dad has already claimed that his son would be good enough to play under Arteta having hit out at Gunners’ supporters on social media.
Declan Rice
Potentially somewhat of a pipe dream for Arsenal at this stage, the North London side are reportedly putting plans in place for the eventual signing of Declan Rice. Arteta is apparently prioritising a swoop for the West Ham and England star this summer.
A move for Rice in the closing days of the January window would not be cheap by any stretch of the imagination but the Gunners could potentially hold off for now and then make a move in a few months time once they have secured an expected place in next season’s Champions League.
His current employers West Ham may also be willing to sell then too with the 24-year-old set to enter the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.
Youri Tielemans
On the topic of midfielders set to be out of contract, Belgian star and Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans could be an affordable option. The former Monaco man is out of contract at the end of the season and looks highly likely to be leaving the King Power Stadium on a free transfer.
Whilst Arsenal might prefer to wait until then to make their move for the FA Cup winner, a small fee offered to Leicester could potentially tempt them into selling the midfielder between now and the end of the window.
Tielemans has proved his quality with the Foxes since his arrival initially on-loan so would certainly be capable of providing the depth that Arteta desires.
Stick rather than twist
Should further additions to the Arsenal side prove unrealistic, Arteta might have to be forced to look slightly closer to home in an attempt to solve his midfield conundrum. Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga make up the Gunners’ conventional defensive midfield options, whilst the likes of Ben White and previous signing Jakub Kiwior could both deputise in an emergency.
In the meantime, Arteta could even look to players that he has allowed to leave the club on loan. Academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles is currently in the midst of a temporary spell with Southampton.
It remains to be seen if there is a recall clause included in the deal that originally took him to the St Mary’s but the Saints might be willing to let him return with the 25-year-old having only started five Premier League games this season.
