Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta ‘makes Nico Williams demand’ as Gunners eye Dan Ashworth

Arsenal could be tempted to splash the cash in the January transfer window after their Premier League title challenge failed.

The Gunners are currently six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, after dropping points in five of their last eight matches. Arsenal drew 1-1 against Fulham on Sunday after goals from Raul Jimenez and William Saliba and will hope to win again next weekend when they host Everton.

However, Arsenal will face Monaco in the Champions League before then as they look to continue their good start in Europe. With the January transfer window on the horizon, Mirror Football has taken a look at the latest news from the Emirates…

Arsenal look at Ashworth

Dan Ashworth has been ousted as Manchester United's sporting director after just five months in the role and his departure from Old Trafford has caught the attention of Arsenal.

The Gunners are looking for a new sporting director following Edu's shock departure last month and The Sun claim Ashworth is in the picture. Arsenal director Richard Garlick is leading the search for Edu's replacement and he previously worked with Ashworth at West Brom.

The report states that the pair still have a good relationship, but Everton are also said to be interested in Ashworth, with the Friedkin Group set to overhaul the club's structure provided their takeover bid finally goes through.

Arteta's Williams claim

According to Football Transfers, Arteta 'demanded the signing of Nico Williams' in January as Arsenal hoped to get their title bid back on track.

Williams has a release clause of around €58m (£47.8m) and was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates this summer. The report states that Arteta believes the winger can 'boost Arsenal's title hopes'.

However, they could face stiff competition for Williams' signature, with Barcelona and Chelsea also said to be interested in his services. Williams said in September about his future: “My heart is with Bilbao, but no one knows what will happen in the future.”

Arsenal star for sale

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are ready to sell Fabio Vieira, just two years after signing him from Porto for £32 million.

Vieira has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular under Arteta and is currently back on loan at Porto. Although the loan deal does not include a commitment or option to buy, the report states that Arsenal are looking to sell Vieira next summer.

Reflecting on his return to Porto earlier this year, Vieira said: 'It was an opportunity that came to me mainly because it was something I already wanted: to play. I had a difficult time in England, an operation and at this time I felt that FC Porto was a good opportunity to continue to grow and develop.”

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