Arsenal supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern are hoping Arsene Wenger can do the unthinkable and add a couple more additions before the close of the January transfer window.
The Gunners have already secured the services of Polish wonderkid Krystian Bielik and may well add Villarreal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista if they can resolve work permit issues.
And reports suggest the business may not just stop there.
Last January, Arsenal made the surprise deadline day addition of Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom. Whilst it was hardly an inspiring piece of business from Arsene Wenger (he did arrive injured after all), the 32-year-old played some sort of part in the Gunners’ success towards the end of last season, notably scoring a penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shootout win over Wigan Athletic.
With Kallstrom in mind, we have identified five other ‘surprise deals’ the Gunners could make before the close of the transfer window.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the 5 ‘surprise’ deals Arsenal could seal this January.
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Bafetimbi Gomis
Swansea City have already lost one striker this month in Wilfried Bony so it would come as a bitter blow to them if Bafetimbi Gomis was to leave as well.
The French international forward has been on Wenger’s radar for some time and the Arsenal boss is said to be keen to add another physical forward as cover for Olivier Giroud, who was injured for the first quarter of the season.
The striker was nicknamed ‘Baby Drogba’ during his time in France – a player Arsenal fans know all to well having scored a winner against the Gunners at the Liberty Stadium earlier this season.
He has yet to really show what he can do at Swansea City but there have been signs to suggest this would be a shrewd piece of business.
Teddy Bishop
Arsenal have added some teenage talents to their squad in January transfer windows gone by with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being the names that stand out.
Perhaps the next bright young talent to arrive at the Emirates Stadium could be Ipswich Town starlet Teddy Bishop.
The 18-year-old has burst onto the scene at Portman Road this season and has helped Mick McCarthy’s side launch a promotion push.
Big things are expected of the talented midfielder and Arsenal are understood to have registered an interest alongside Liverpool.
Tyrone Mings
Another product of the Ipswich Town academy who is thought to be interesting the Gunners is 21-year-old Tyrone Mings.
Arsene Wenger has previously expressed an interest in the defender who is capable of playing as a left back or a left-sided centre back.
The Gunners are in need of defensive reinforcements whilst stories continue to link Nacho Monreal with a move back to Spain.
Wenger has said a deal is not close to being struck with the Championship club but could that be to lull everyone into a false sense of security?
James Milner
The Gunners have been linked with the Manchester City midfielder in the past and his current contractual situation at the Etihad Stadium means he is unlikely to remain there much longer.
Liverpool have been linked with a January move for the midfielder but Milner would also be a shrewd addition to the Arsenal squad.
Capable of playing in a number of positions as well as adding to Arsenal’s ‘homegrown’ quota, a move for the former Aston Villa man before the close of the transfer window would be interesting considering City currently face losing him for free come the end of the season.
Fabian Delph
Another England international coming towards the end of his contract is Aston Villa star Fabian Delph.
The 25-year-old showed some fine moments of promise last season, enough to earn him a call up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad.
The former Leeds United man has no desire to sign a new contract at Villa Park, meaning he is available for a cut price fee this month.
Arsenal’s desire for a holding midfielder may see them make a last ditch move for Delph, who would surely attempt to force through a switch to the Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger also knows the longer he holds out, the cheaper the deal becomes.
