Arsenal transfer news and gossip: Vlahovic demands; Schick insight
rsenal are preparing for a busy January transfer window with a number of top players on their radar this month.
Injuries, Covid-19 and AFCON absences have all come at a bad times for the Gunners, who face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals this week.
But the quality of players interesting Arsenal are of a high standard, with Dusan Vlahovic, Bruno Guimaraes, Patrik Schick and Georginio Wijnaldum all linked.
In terms of outgoings, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Folarin Balogun have left on loan while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah’s futures are in doubt.
Arsenal need a new long-term option at centre-forward and Vlahovic is considered one of Europe’s hottest properties right now, having fired 18 goals in just 22 games so far this season.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier this month that an offer worth £58.3m has been tabled for Vlahovic. The deal would also see Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira – currently on loan with La Viola – stay at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on a permanent basis.
But sources in Italy suggest Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Vlahovic after journalist Gianluca di Marzio claimed he is seeking a more “ambitious” project than what Arsenal are offering.
At the Mail, it has been claimed that the Serb wants wages topping £300,000-a-week.
Schick was linked with Arsenal and a host of other clubs earlier in the window and the striker has now commented on the situation.
The Czech star’s wage demands are reportedly far lower than Vlahovic and he also boasts an impressive record that amounts to 17 goals in 19 games this campaign.
“Of course, it’s nice to read when you are associated with the big clubs,” he told Bild. “But I’m really, really happy in Leverkusen and want to go to the Champions League with Bayer.
“I love living in Germany. At the moment, I’m not thinking about another club. Everyone knows my contractual situation. And I would never cause problems for a club by pushing for a transfer.”
Something of a bit-part player at Paris Saint-Germain, Wijnaldum has reportedly caught Arsenal’s eye in their search for a new midfielder.
Spanish outlet Fichajes states that a bid of around £15m would be enough to tempt Les Parisiens into selling the player they signed for free from Liverpool last summer.
Newcastle, where Wijnaldum played earlier in his career, are also said to be keen.
The Brazilian midfielder has starred for Lyon since a move from Athletico Paranaense and is now also being tracked by Newcastle and Everton.
No bid has arrived yet but a fee of around £40million is thought to be required to secure his services – with Lyon preferring a summer exit if he does go.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
A feud with Mikel Arteta saw the striker lose his captain’s armband and Aubameyang has not played for the Gunners since, before heading out to the Africa Cup of Nations.
That has led to Arsenal being open for business with regards to “suitable” offers for the player, according to Sky Sports.
Juventus and Newcastle have been linked with Aubameyang, who has 18 months to run on his £350,000-a-week contract,
North London rivalry is nothing new and it continues with both Arsenal and Tottenham monitoring Kulusevski.
The Swedish winger is unfancied by Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus and could be available in January. But the duo will have to outbid Newcastle if they want to snap up the youngster, as reported by SportItalia.
La Gazzetta dello Sport say that the player is aware of the interest and considers such a move a genuine possibility.
Crystal Palace and Brighton are in the hunt for Nketiah in what would be a January transfer, with Bayer Leverkusen also in the mix.
The Mail detail how the A23 rivals want to bolster their frontlines as soon as possible, which would also allow the Gunners to cash in on the academy product.
Nketiah is yet to make a significant impression on Arsenal in Premier League action but could leave for free, if he opts for a move to Germany in the summer.
Sky Sports claim Arsenal would be willing to listen to offers for Chambers given he is out of contract until the end of the season and has rarely been able to impose himself onto first-team proceedings since his move from Southampton.
Pablo Mari is also reportedly up for sale, according to the same report.
