Arsenal chief Edu delivers January transfer message as Palhinha dilemma emerges
Arsenal sporting director Edu indicated that the Gunners are reluctant to stand still this winter ahead of their dramatic last-gasp 4-3 triumph at Luton Town on Tuesday night.
It was somewhat fitting that £105million club-record signing Declan Rice, a player Edu and his close-knit staff worked so tirelessly to sign this summer, netted the priceless winner at Kenilworth Road to send the visitors five points clear at the summit.
When quizzed on Arsenal's upcoming January transfer window plans, the Brazilian chief declared: “To work for a football club like Arsenal, it is always busy isn’t it. You need to put in a lot of effort and energy and dedicate a lot of time, but of course in January and the summer, it does intensify a bit. We are prepared. We have big people around the club to support me and the decisions. We always have our targets - it is important to be prepared for every single scenario - that is very important.”
Sources have indicated Arsenal are expected to oversee a quiet transfer window but with the games coming thick and fast over the festive period - injuries are likely to shape business. However, it's no secret the Gunners will have to be cautious of Financial Fair Play regulations following an expensive £208million summer transfer splurge that has left them sailing close to the wind.
That's primarily why under-fire goalkeeper David Raya was signed on an initial loan that is set to become permanent for around £27m at the end of the current season.
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Sales could therefore prove key to Arsenal's spending power and in that respect, further ruthless, cut-throat decisions could lie ahead. Mikel Arteta has already publicly ruled that he wants to keep Aaron Ramsdale at the club in January despite his ongoing power struggle to reclaim the No.1 spot from Raya. Yet Ramsdale has also been warned by Gareth Southgate that his Euro 2024 spot with England will be placed under threat if he continues to play infrequently.
Despite reports, Newcastle are not expected to make a push for the 25-year-old shot-stopper, however, Ramsdale may opt to consider any approaches that materialise in the coming weeks where regular minutes are on offer. A goalkeeper of his quality and potential is unlikely to be short of admirers.
Outside of Ramsdale, the injured Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah are two names that are likely to generate interest this winter but so far, there is no indication Arsenal are prepared to sell at this moment in time. That stance could change further down the line. Versatile Polish defender Jakub Kiwior is being courted by AC Milan but he remains a firm part of Arteta's plans as showcased on Tuesday night when he started at left-back ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jurrien Timber remains a long-term absentee and Takehiro Tomiyasu is also now facing a four-to-six week lay-off with a calf problem before he heads to the Asia Cup with Japan in early 2024. Arsenal, who are hopeful of tying both Tomiyasu and Ben White to new long-term contracts in the coming weeks, will listen to offers for Cedric Soares as he is quickly approaching the final six months of his current deal.
Takehiro Tomiyasu will be "out for a while" after suffering a calf injury against Wolves (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Defence - alongside central midfield - is now expected to be an area of priority for Arsenal this winter. Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode and Girona left-back Miguel Gutierrez are among those to have been scouted this season. The Gunners could also seek to explore the loan market and they do currently have one spot left that is free to fill within their loan quota.
If Arsenal do have the cash to sanction a notable January arrival, a central midfielder would surely prove favourable following Thomas Partey's recent thigh injury setback. He is also due to represent Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations at the turn of the year, if he can prove his fitness.
Various sources contacted by Mirror Football have provided mixed signals on reported interest in Fulham stalwart Joao Palhinha. While he is believed to be internally appreciated by Arsenal, no talks have taken place over a deal to date and he is expected to be out of their price range anyway.
It's understood his newly-signed Fulham contract does not contain a release clause but Palhinha has frequently made it known he remains open-minded about a transfer after his deadline-day switch to Bayern Munich collapsed. Ideally, he would prefer to remain in the Premier League if he was to leave Craven Cottage and German media outlets are now suggesting Bayern are prioritising other targets over the Portugal international this winter.
Palhinha turns 29 next summer and does not fit Arsenal's traditional transfer profile in terms of age but it's clear he would immediately improve their starting XI and would be a shoo-in alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Arsenal are among Joao Palhinha's growing list of admirers (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Interest in Douglas Luiz remains concrete but it would take a mega, mega-money offer for Aston Villa to consider selling their Brazilian anchorman in January as they continue their pursuit of Champions League qualification and Conference League glory, respectively. Arsenal also really appreciate Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad but he remains happy with life in the Basque Country and also boasts a hefty release clause of £53m.
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One name that could enter the thinking of Arsenal's and other top Premier League clubs this winter is Monaco's Youssouf Fofana. Manchester United saw a loan-to-buy bid rejected in August while the 24-year-old France international also rejected moves to Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Sources close to Fofana have indicated Monaco are prepared to consider a January sale as the player's current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2025 - meaning he will only have 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season. Arteta is understood to be an admirer of the player and was spotted in conversation with Fofana after the Emirates Cup clash against Monaco in August, in which he starred and left a lasting impression on those in attendance.
Given the Gunners have to be financially cautious with their transfer approach, the 24-year-old represents a viable, realistic and affordable option although it must be laid on record that the Gunners are yet to make any contact over a deal. Statement transfer dealings are anticipated next summer in north London once Arsenal have submitted their financial records in June 2024. Ivan Toney and Pedro Neto remain firm targets and both players are thought to be keen on moves to the club.
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