The January transfer window is in full swing and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will sign a contract this month.
Mikel Arteta has made it clear that the only new players he wants to see in the coming weeks are those ready to make a quick impact. Although the Spaniard may have been trying to play down the hope that that would be possible.
“First of all, someone who can influence the team. Bringing in bodies doesn't help all of us,” Arteta said at his press conference about the kind of player he wanted. “It's just about someone who can immediately influence our performance and bring something that we don't have. That is very difficult to achieve in this market.
“We have very high standards and we really only want players if they come through the academy or if we have to sign those players to really elevate and influence the team, otherwise it doesn't help us to bring in bodies.”
Can the Gunners make that happen? Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumors surrounding the Emirates.
Arsenal plan bid
According to Sport, Arsenal could make a bid for Ronald Araujo 'in the coming days'.
However, the north London side are unlikely to fetch the €70-80m (£58.7-67.1m) Barcelona are asking for. The central defender wants to leave the Catalan club and has already found interest from Juventus.
The Uruguayan star's agents are looking for candidates for several European teams that are considering a transfer. Interest from Arsenal has already tempted Juve to increase their opening by €35m (£29.4m), the paper reports.
The Bianconeri are considering increasing their offer to €50 million (£42 million) to secure a deal for the 25-year-old.
Arsenal keep defender
Despite continued speculation linking Jakub Kiwior with a move away from Arsenal, the defender is 'destined to stay at the Emirates', according to reports in Italy, according to Sport Witness. The Gunners are reportedly 'not planning to sell this month', although more players may be willing to do so in the summer when an offer of between €15m and €20m could prove convincing.
The Poland international is said to have been the subject of a number of approaches, with Arsenal yet to be convinced by a loan with an option to buy. Last month it was claimed that Kiwior had asked his agent to find him a new club.
Williams punch
It looks like the January transfer window will prove to be another transfer window where Arsenal fail to sign Nico Williams. The Athletic Bilbao star has attracted interest from the Gunners, but a deal appears financially prohibitive.
The Spain international has a release clause of around €60 million, which, in addition to his salary requirements, makes the chances of a deal slim. The Athletic believes a deal is unlikely for the winger, but that should not diminish Arsenal's interest in Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal's head coach is 'keen to sign him in this January transfer window', it is claimed. However, Williams has no plans to take action, meaning a deal is even more unlikely as the financial institutions involved are unlikely to back down.
Comments