January is not expected to be a busy month of transfers for Arsenal, but that has not stopped the rumours from circulating.
Arsene Wenger has played down the hopes of us bringing in any new players, but he may well have just been trying to soften the blow of not landing any of his targets, instead of ruling out trying to strengthen at all.
One player who would most definitely bring some pizzazz to our squad would be Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco. We were linked with a move for the playmaker in the summer, but he has since signed a new contract, although Diego Simeone is claimed to be considering his sale. Chelsea and Manchester United will likely challenge for his signature also however, and we know our club don’t wish to battle financially for signings.
One player we are claimed to have already made a ‘concrete offer’ for is Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko. The defensive midfielder is enjoying a thoroughly impressive season with Monaco, in which he has been a key figure in helping his side stay within two points of the Ligue 1 top spot, and importantly three points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Interest is also believed to come from Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea, but we are believed to be leading the latter two along with the former.
Another we are supposedly ‘battling’ to sign is Maximilian Philipp, but our rival for his signature is only Tottenham. The 22 year-old was key in helping his Freiburg side return to the top tier of German football, and has continued his run with five goals so far this season in the Bundesliga. Philipp is said to be available for a lowly £4 Million, and could well be a more likely acquisition than the previous two.
Kostas Manolas is a player who we are claimed to have ‘used as a pawn‘ in order to land Mustafi for a lower fee. We are said to have opened talks with Roma over a deal whilst Valencia attempted to play hard ball in demanding £50 Million, before we eventually sealed a deal for around the £35 Million mark.
Can you see us signing any of these players?
Pat J
No..Not because Arsenal is not attractive enough or lack the financial strength but because Wenger has no plan of signing this month
Getting fed up with all this constant speculation over transfers. There shouldn’t be a transfer window in January.
All transfers should be done during the close season and you start and finish the season with the same players. No transfers and no loans during the season and if you have injuries or loss of form then you use your own squad, we might even get more young players coming through.
I reckon we are looking to see if someone’s available, inquiring to see if they’re receptive to a bid. It’d be great if we did go against the norm by bringing in a big player.
If we had to use Alexis to get a swap for another player, if he doesn’t sign, who’d be the best most doable swap out there. I was thinking Juve PSG Bayern Atletico players, Greizmann might be for some people, I was thinking Verratti. Just when we thought we solved our star striker issue, I don’t think we’ll be able to swap for a striker that is compared to the players that Alexis is compared with. But we could maybe get a worldy from another position. Atletico have two other players of top top quality, Saul Nuguez and Jose Gimenez.
My comment has more to do with how much I rate Bakayoko and despite how much I think it is unlikely, I wish we could make this deal a reality. To me Bakayoko is the new Viera. If you haven’t already, check him out.