Five players who could join Arsenal in January as Mikel Arteta finally set to complete first January transfer deal this week
Arsenal are considering their options to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window as they look to right the wrongs of last season and go one step further in their push for the Premier League title.
The Gunners spent big last summer, dropping more than £200 million on the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, and their impacts have varied.
Rice, in particular, has become the envy of the other Premier League giants with his assured performances in central midfield, but Mikel Arteta wants to bolster his squad after coming so close to dethroning City last season.
FootballTransfers looks at five of the most likely January arrivals at the Emirates…
Ivan Toney
Arsenal’s attack has not been as free-flowing and exciting as it was last season and the club still lack a bona fide No.9, with Gabriel Jesus not scoring enough goals and Eddie Nketiah arguably a bench or rotation player.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney would fit the bill. The recent England cap scored 20 times in 33 games last season before being hit with a gambling ban, however he netted on his return from suspension, indicating that he might pick up where he left off and be capable of providing goals for any team.
An asking price of a reported £100m could make a deal a non-starter, however.
Dominic Solanke
An emerging alternative to Toney could be Dominic Solanke, who is having an impressive season at Bournemouth having scored 12 times in 19 Premier League games.
Younger and arguably more affordable than Toney, Solanke’s form has attracted attention from the likes of Newcastle but Bournemouth are reluctant to sell their talismanic striker mid-season.
However, an approach from Arsenal could turn the 26-year-old’s head and prompt Bournemouth to consider an offer for the right amount, while a proven Premier League goalscorer would be a worthy investment for Arteta’s side.
Douglas Luiz
Another Brazilian on the Gunners’ radar is Douglas Luiz, who has been shining at the heart of Aston Villa’s midfield. As exclusively reported by FootballTransfers collaborator Steve Kay, Villa would want £110 million for his services.
Such a fee might make a January transfer less likely, but Arsenal are likely to test the water as they look for a defensive midfield partner for Rice, and will wait until the summer if his current employers hold firm.
Jeremie Frimpong
Arsenal are also in the market for a right-back with Takehiro Tomiyasu injury probe and Ben White a centre-back by trade, even if he has performed admirably in the position for the last season and a half. Jeremie Frimpong is top of their shortlist according to Kay.
The recent Netherlands cap is currently flying high with Bayer Leverkusen, his four goals and five assists helping them to the top of the Bundesliga, but Die Werkself are a selling club and they would struggle to say no if his €53.4m valuation was met.
Dusan Vlahovic
Last but by no means least it Dusan Vlahovic, who nearly joined Arsenal in January 2022 before electing to swap Fiorentina for Juventus instead. Another striker, his arrival might prohibit Toney’s if not Leonardo’s.
At 23, Vlahovic fits the age profile of players Arsenal are looking to sign, and the Gunners reportedly believe they could get him for cheaper than the fees required to bring Toney, or Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, to North London.
Juventus are open to a sale at the right price but as they are in a title challenge against Inter in Serie A, they may be more willing to sell at the end of the season.
