5 players Arsenal could sign in January window including Ivan Toney alternative
Arsenal look set for a busy January transfer window, with Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen his squad after admitting injuries have left him "really short" of options in some positions.
"At the moment, it is very difficult," he said earlier this month. "We are really short. We have positions that we have been very exposed [in] for the last six weeks and hopefully we are going to get players back.
"We have certain targets, ideas if things happen. But it is a very, very tricky market that shifts very quickly and it is quite unpredictable as well, and you have to be prepared. We will be prepared and we will try to make the right calls."
Defensive and midfield cover is on the agenda, with Jurrien Timber a long-term absentee and both Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu set to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup respectively when they return from injury. With that in mind, Mirror Football has taken a look at five players Arsenal could sign in January.
Jorrel Hato
The 17-year-old is capable of playing at centre-back or left-back and has been one of very few bright spots in a struggling Ajax side this season. According to the Athletic, Arsenal are interested in signing Hato and he could provide cover for both Timber and Tomiyasu.
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The report adds that Arsenal feel 'Ajax's game model is analogous to their own', which should help Hato make an immediate impact midway through the season. However, the main issue facing Arsenal and any signings they want to make in January is the finances, following their big spending over the summer.
Arsenal are interested in signing Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato (Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates)Devyne Rensch
Should the Gunners decide they want a more experienced defensive option, they could make a move for Hato's Ajax teammate Rensch. Capable of playing anywhere across the back four, the 20-year-old has already made more than 100 first-team appearances including in the Champions League.
CBS Sports state that Arsenal have been scouting him, although they do face competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. Rensch is out of contract in 18 months time and Ajax could look to cash in next month in order to avoid risking losing him for free in 2025.
Devyne Rensch is also on Arsenal's radar (Michael Bulder/NESImages/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)Martin Zubimendi
The Real Sociedad star has long been linked with a move to the Emirates and football.london are reporting he is among the midfield options they are looking at ahead of the January transfer window.
Zubimendi does have a £53million release clause in his contract and Arsenal could finance a move for the Spain international by making sales, with Partey a potential departure. The 30-year-old has just 18 months left on his current deal and the Gunners were willing to let him leave over the summer.
Martin Zubimendi has long been linked with a move to the Emirates (Ricardo Larreina/REX/Shutterstock)Ivan Toney
Arsenal are crying out for a reliable goalscorer, with their recent 2-0 defeat to West Ham a clear illustration of their struggles. Their two biggest title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool have the two leading goalscorers so far this season, with Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah finding the back of the net 14 and 12 times respectively.
Arsenal's leading scorers, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah, have only scored five goals and a move for Brentford star Toney makes a lot of sense. The 27-year-old is a proven goalscorer, having only been outscored by Haaland and Harry Kane last season, and appears to be keen on a move although Brentford's demands could price Arsenal out of a January move.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney would be an excellent signing for Arsenal (Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images)Dusan Vlahovic
Should Arsenal be forced to target a cheaper alternative to Toney, Juventus forward Dusan Valhovic could be on their radar. Another player who has long been linked with a move to the Emirates, Italian outlet TV Play claim the Gunners 'could launch an assault' for Vlahovic in January.
The report states that Arsenal are willing to pay up to £35m for the 23-year-old, who is currently Juventus' top scorer with six goals in 15 appearances so far this season.
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