Arsenal’s Transfer Performance So Far & Targets For January

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Like their other Premier League top-four rivals, Arsenal are frantically looking for reinforcements in the January transfer window to improve their bid to qualify for Champions League football next season.

However, unlike other teams that have recruited smartly this January – as documented by Football Today on Thursday – Arsenal have yet to bring in a substantial reinforcement. After offloading a few fringe players, the Gunners are now focusing on adding new faces to Mikel Arteta’s squad, with time ticking for Edu and his recruitment team.

Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s transfer performances this winter.

Departures

Ainsley Maitland-Niles 

Out-of-favour midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Roma on a six-month loan following an uninspiring first half of the season in north London.

After making just eight Premier League appearances in the first half of the season, the 24-year-old has immediately established himself as a first-team regular under Jose Mourinho.

However, the Italians do not have a buy-out clause, meaning the Englishman will return to base in the summer regardless of his performances in Serie A.

Pablo Mari

Like his aforementioned colleague, Pablo Mari will spend the second half of the season in Serie A after Udinese agreed on a six-month loan deal with Arsenal.

The 28-year-old has been a marginal figure under Arteta, registering just three appearances across all competitions this term, last featuring for the Gunners in September’s League Cup match against Wimbledon.

Since Udinese won’t be able to turn the centre-back’s move permanent at the end of the season, Arsenal could benefit from Mari’s potential development at the Dacia Arena.

Sead Kolasinac

Sead Kolasinac severed ties with the Gunners earlier this month to secure a switch to Olympique Marseille on a free transfer, putting pen to paper on a one-and-a-half-year deal.

The Bosnian left-back fell out of favour with Arteta after returning to London from a decent six-month loan at Schalke 04 last season, with a knee injury further hampering his progress in the nation’s capital.

Kolasinac terminating his contract at Arsenal following a disappointing first half of the season was a ‘win-win’ situation for both parties.

Targets

Dusan Vlahovic

Arteta may have softened his stance on misfit Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by refusing to rule out the ex-captain’s return to the fold.

Per Fabrizio Romano, the Spaniard has thrown the Gabon international a lifeline at the Emirates despite their public-played altercation.

“Will he play for Arsenal again? We need to make sure the player’s health is in the best possible condition and then we’ll see what happens”, Arteta said.

However, that does not affect Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Fiorentina talisman Dusan Vlahovic, who cannot stop scoring in Serie A.

The Serb’s name features the Gunners’ shopping list close to the top, though convincing La Viola to sanction the deal could be a bit complex.

Well aware of the gem they have on their hands, the Italians are keen to squeeze out every penny from potential suitors, making Arsenal’s hopes of closing the move ever-so difficult.

Fiorentina chief Joe Barone has acknowledged a growing Premier League interest in the Serie A top-scorer, insisting there is nothing definite as of yet.

“Some English club asked us for Vlahović but there’s no agreement. We’re here, available,” he said as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.

“There are NO updates or communications from Vlahović or agents. Zero. There are not even contacts with them. It’s always the same.”

Despite Fiorentina’s resistance, Arsenal remain hopeful of landing Vlahovic this month in an attempt to bolster their chances in an eagerly-contested top-four race.

Bruno Guimaraes

Despite recovering his status as a permanent fixture in Arteta’s starting XI, Granit Xhaka’s recent performances have flattered to deceive, forcing the Spaniard to consider adding a new deep-lying midfielder.

Another name on Edu’s wishlist is Lyon’s midfield stalwart Bruno Guimaraes, who is keen on leaving the Groupama Stadium amid Les Gones’ rough patch.

With Peter Bosz’s men languishing in a mid-table lethargy in Ligue 1, the Brazilian is seeking a way out as part of his bid to compete in European competition next season.

In addition to Arsenal, Juventus are also said to be in the race for the 24-year-old.

But the Gunners reportedly have the upper hand in a potential transfer tug-of-war following Guimaraes’ recent actions on social media.

Per reports, Lyon would only be willing to let their prized asset go for a fee in the region of £40m.

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