Arsenal's January transfer priority emerges as Gunners eye three summer deals

03 January 2024 , 14:55

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Arsenal's January transfer priority emerges as Gunners eye three summer deals

Arsenal are prioritising a move for a left back in the January transfer window.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is likely to have to settle for a loan deal but the club have put feelers out to try and make a signing this month with that position their No1 priority this month. Arsenal will not be able to do any big deals in January but are making plans ahead of the summer window with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi emerging as a key target.

They are also likely to move for a winger and a centre forward with Wolves ’ Pedro Neto and Brentford centre forward Ivan Toney among possible targets.

Zubimendi, 24, is a sought after player as Bayern Munich have also been interested while Arsenal would be looking for a new midfield anchorman with doubts over Thomas Partey’s injury record and long term future.

Arsenal would have to sell in January to fall into line with Financial Fair Play rules and are in no rush to allow the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe or Aaron Ramsdale go this month. But they could cash in during the summer window to enable another big spending spree to strengthen the squad.

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Scotland left back Kieran Tierney, who has been plagued by injuries this season, is also currently on loan at Real Sociedad so could be another departure. Ironically, Tierney is in the position Arteta wants but did join on a season-long loan and was allowed out because he had fallen down the pecking order.

Martin Zubimendi is a player admired by Mikel Arteta (Ricardo Larreina/AFP7/REX/Shutterstock)

In the meantime, they want at least one left back in this window as Oleksandr Zinchenko has made recent mistakes and missed Sunday’s defeat at Fulham with a calf injury.

Jakub Kiwior has filled in at left back but looks more of a centre half and has struggled which is why Arteta wants to find different options in this window. Arsenal will have to look at the loan market this month to stay in line with UEFA and the Premier League spending rules.

John Cross