Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi are both Arsenal targets ahead of the January transfer window (Image: Getty)
Arsenal’s Premier League title bid could go down to the wire, and Mikel Arteta will need all hands on deck to stand a chance of overhauling Liverpool.
The Gunners already boast a healthy and well-balanced squad, but an extra injection of quality could be exactly what they need to kick things up a gear. Player sales would also be a bonus, with a number of players collecting dust on the bench up to this point in the season.
With that in mind, Express Sport takes you through four deals that would make January a dream window for Arteta…
Viktor Gyokeres signs
It has not been difficult to keep an eye on Viktor Gyokeres’ progress this season given his remarkable scoring exploits for Sporting, and Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs paying full attention. With Ruben Amorim snatched from Portugal and appointed by Manchester United, the Swedish international is said to be unsettled.
The Gunners need an out-and-out striker to support Kai Havertz and offer Arteta a different option through the middle, and Gyokeres is one of the hottest in Europe.
Landing him will not be easy, however, with United and Chelsea also rumoured to be in the hunt. It is understood that Sporting would listen to offers in the region of £63million for their star centre-forward.
Mikel Arteta is in the midst of another crack at the Premier League title (Image: Getty)
Gunners land Zubimendi
A succession of teams have tried and failed to lure Basque-born Martin Zubimendi away from boyhood club Real Sociedad in recent years. Liverpool were on the verge of signing him this summer, only to see the deal fall through when Zubimendi himself pulled the plug.
Arsenal are also reported to be long-standing admirers of the 25-year-old. Arteta could do with another midfielder as Jorginho and Thomas Partey approach the last six months of their contracts, and Zubimendi, who has a £50m release clause, is one of the finest passers on the continent.
Two players sold
Arteta will need a deep squad between now and the end of the season, meaning sales are only likely to be made if the player is truly surplus to requirements. Kieran Tierney falls into that category, and with 18 months left on his deal, Arsenal could bank a fee for him this January.
The Scottish international has battled injury problems, but despite being back fit, he has barely had a look-in all season.
Jakub Kiwior could also be moved on by the Gunners. The defender has played a more active role than Tierney this term, but he is believed to be unsettled by his lack of game time, and a return to Italy could land Arsenal with a handsome sum.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1989782/arsenal-gyokeres-zubimendi-mikel-arteta