10 players who could join Arsenal in January

  /  autty

Arsenal were the biggest spenders in the summer transfer window in England, shelling out over £149 million on new recruits.

Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu all arrived as Mikel Arteta started the rejuvenation of his squad.

It is unlikely the Spaniard will be content with the dealings done so far so Arsenal will be active in the upcoming transfer market.

A striker and the centre-forward remain the priority for the moment, so who have they been linked with?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

Everton are having a torrid time under Rafa Benitez at the moment and if their current downward spiral continues it won't be long before their star players look for a transfer away.

The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of the main reasons behind Everton's form as his injury has left them short of a focal point, and quality, up front.

He hasn't played since the end of August so would certainly need to prove his fitness before Arsenal started to consider a deal.

Everton would also command a high transfer fee.

Renato Sanches (Lille)

Bayern Munich flop Renato Sanches has resurrected his career in France with Lille, emerging as one of the best all-round midfielders in the division.

Now that the Portugal international has rebuilt his reputation after poor spells with Bayern and Swansea, he is once again a wanted commodity.

It seems inevitable that Sanches will leave Lille either in January or possibly in the summer, and Arsenal are among his list of suitors.

The Gunners are crying out for a new central midfielder and the energy of Sanches could be just what they need.

Ianis Stoica (FCSB)

Ianis Stoica is only 18 years old, but he's sensationally already been playing senior football for four years.

He remarkably made his first-team debut for FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, aged 14, and he marked the occasion with a goal in a 6-1 cup win over Sanatatea Cluj.

He scored seven goals and assisted five in 24 games for CSM Slatina on loan last season, and that prompted FCSB to recall him this year.

The right winger could be set for a move to Arsenal, though, if the North London side make their interest concrete.

Houssem Aouar (Lille)

Houssem Aouar reportedly came close to signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2020, only for a deal to fail to materialise.

The Gunners ended up signing Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid instead, but they still retain an interest in Aouar, who could be available for a decent price as his contract with Lyon runs out in the summer of 2023.

Aouar has stated that his role models are Zinedine Zidane and Juninho Pernambucano and this is reflected in his play as he is calm and composed in possession while holding a lovely command of the ball, particularly in tight areas.

The reason for the player not signing for Arsenal is allegedly because they could not guarantee Champions League football, though, so that may still be a factor.

Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg)

Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst may be the perfect candidate to replace Alexander Lacazette should the Frenchman not sign a new deal or be sold in January.

After making the move to Wolfsburg in 2018, Weghorst has established himself as a proven target man that can score and create goals in equal measure with relative ease.

In the last three seasons, the Dutch international has never dipped below 17 goals in all competitions and often picks up a handful of assists along the way too.

Weghorst's presence up top would be ideal to introduce the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka into the action from the wide areas.

Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)

Although Alexander Isak may not be as widely tipped for success as Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, the young Swede is still one of European football’s most exciting prospects.

The Real Sociedad striker has quickly turned his career around in Spain after a tricky start at Borussia Dortmund and is now attracting interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs.

Arsenal will not be in the market for a Haaland or Mbappe as they simply aren't an elite enough side at the moment.

But, they could potentially take the punt, albeit an expensive punt, on another potential gem in Isak.

Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

Jesse Lingard didn't play a single minute of Premier League football for Manchester United in the first half of last season which is what led to a loan move to West Ham.

Lingard was excellent in his short spell with the Hammers and he was widely expected to join them again on a permanent deal.

When that didn't happen he was allegedly given assurances over his playing time by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, only for that promise to remain unfulfilled.

Half the Premier League wants him, though Arsenal may represent the most attractive option.

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Once viewed as a key figure at Manchester City, Raheem Sterling has been on the periphery of the action for the majority of the current campaign.

Following the arrival of Jack Grealis for a British record transfer fee, Sterling dropped won the pecking order at the Etihad.

He would subsequently say he is open to leaving Man City in January, even abroad.

However, in more recent weeks he has found some form again, with Guardiola selecting him in the starting XI more frequently, so it is probably more likely he will stay.

Barcelona are also interested.

Denis Zakaria (Gladbach)

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria is out of contract in the summer and so would be available at a knockdown price for any suitor.

The Switzerland international is an all-rounder in midfield and can contribute both in attack and defence.

His best attribute is probably his ability to run through the middle to open up the game, though he also has an eye for a pass and can position himself well.

There are plenty of other clubs hoping to take advantage of his contract situation, though.

Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)

One of Arsenal's dream signings in the upcoming transfer window would be Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.

While the likes of Haaland are stealing most of the headlines as Europe's hottest young striker property, Vlahovic has been impressively going about his business in Italy.

In his last 49 starts in Serie A he has scored an impressive 33 goals.

Numerous big clubs want Vlahovic though, and Arsenal will need to present a hell of an offer to the player and his agent to make a deal happen.

Related: Arsenal Manchester United Everton Manchester City Olympique Lyonnais Paris Saint-Germain Lille Borussia Dortmund Real Sociedad Celta de Vigo Zidane Mikel Arteta Denis Suarez Sterling Lingard Partey R.Sanches Calvert-Lewin Mbappe Aouar Isak Haaland
Latest comments
Download All Football for more comments