Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern are starting to discuss the latest gossip concerning their club ahead of the January transfer window and believe that Arsene Wenger could secure some major signings.
The Gunners were disappointed in the summer as their side were the only team in Europe’s top-five leagues not to sign a senior outfield player, with their only acquisition coming in the form of Petr Cech.
Things are expected to be different in January, with Celta Vigo forward Nolito widely-reported to be on his way to North London and it’s unlikely he will be the only purchase when the transfer window reopens.
Here, we’ve scoured the web and identified Arsenal’s top targets that could add to Nolito’s acquisition in January. If Arsenal pull-off a number of these moves, then they will further their credentials in the race for the Premier League title.
Hit Arsene Wenger below to see FIVE signings Arsenal could make in January to follow Nolito!
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Sergi Samper
Barcelona youngster Sergi Samper is a long-term target for Arsenal and it’s reported the midfielder is keen on a transfer, after finding playing opportunities in Catalonia extremely limited.
Added to this, Barcelona are expected to need to sell players in order to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and whilst this won’t see an exit of any major stars, it could lead to an exodus of talent developed by their prestigious La Masia academy.
Arsenal have experience of snatching young Barcelona talents and making them into top-class players previously, with Cesc Fabregas being the prime example and Hector Bellerin now thriving in the Gunners’ first-team set-up.
Aleksandr Kokorin
Earlier this week Dinamo Moscow confirmed that a Deadline Day swoop from Arsenal for Russian international Aleksandr Kokorin was rejected– but Arsenal are expected to revisit the situation when the window reopens.
The reason of the rejection in the summer was because Arsene Wenger’s side only offered a loan move and the hierarchy of the Russian side believed Kokorin deserved more; leaving the door open for a permanent switch in the New Year.
Arsenal need to bolster their attacking lines as Danny Welbeck’s continued absence leaves just Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud as the only recognised senior strikers within the squad.
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid striker was the dream that never came true for Arsenal over the summer, as their long chase ended unsuccessful, but reports of the French international being ‘fed-up’ by his continued bit-part role for Los Blancos have aided the Gunners chase.
If that continues into the season then Arsenal may have the chances of securing a move for Benzema boosted, with the striker keen to impress ahead of next summer’s European Championship tournament in France.
Should Benzema continue to be substitute regularly, and have his impact on the side decreased as a result, then he faces the risk of losing his first-team spot in France’s team as the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud are breathing down his neck.
Oguzhan Ozyakup
Arsenal fans were surprised to hear transfer reports from Turkey earlier this year that stated the Gunners are keen to bring former youth prospect Oguzahn Ozyakup back to North London for the tune of around £15m.
Now excelling with Besiktas, and Turkey’s national side, Ozyakup could provide a major boost to Arsenal’s midfield- providing an alternative to Francis Coquelin or a potential partner, depending on how Arsene Wenger lines-up.
Ozyakup’s return would be a strange situation for Arsenal, who are usually good at keeping players with star potential and rarely buy them back, but a move would be similar to Chelsea; who paid a hefty-sum to bring Nemanja Matic back to Stamford Bridge.
Daniele Rugani
With just Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista as Arsenal’s senior defensive options in the middle of the back-line, any continued injury or suspension problems could seriously cripple the Gunners push for the Premier League title.
Just yesterday it was claimed Arsenal are ‘on alert’ for the ‘disillusioned’ young Italian, who has failed to earn regular playing time at Juventus.
The 21-year-old has not received the first-team football he was promised and despite Napoli’s alleged interest, Rugani is believed to be keen on a move to North London.
