Arsenal transfer news live - Arteta eyes "unique" deal, Dusan Vlahovic linked

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And that's all we've got time for this evening.

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ICYMI - Arsenal eye Man United target

Arsenal and Man United are already reportedly going head-to-head for the signing of Joshua Zirkzee but another striker battle could potentially take place between the two clubs.

The Red Devils are keeping a close eye on Dutchman Brian Brobbey, while the Gunners are also tracking him amid their search for a new striker.

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Getafe refuse to sell Mayoral

Arsenal's hopes of signing Borja Mayoral have been hit with a blow after the La Liga side refused to sell the striker.

That is according to AS who state that the club do not want to let the forward go this January, even if Arsenal lodge an offer for his services.

It is said the Mayoral is also comfortable with his current side and is prioritising getting into the Spain side for the upcoming Euros.

Ramsdale backed for West Ham move

Stan Collymore has suggested that Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could be a candidate for a move to West Ham.

“On the subject of Ramsdale, to me, he looks certain to leave Arsenal at the end of the season,” he said.

“Why would he stick around? – He’s earned his stripes as a top club’s number one. I don’t think he did enough wrong last season to warrant losing his place so he has every right to go to a new club and say ‘I am a number one keeper, I will only sign for you if you ensure I am exactly that’.

Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster

“But what club could offer him that opportunity next remains unknown, of course. I do wonder if West Ham might fancy him though. They’ve got Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski as their two senior keepers but both are into their 30’s with the latter close to turning 40, so it seems a change in that position is coming sooner rather than later."

Marquinhos set for another exit

Arsenal forward Marquinhos looks set to leave the club on another loan deal.

The Gunners confirmed that the Brazilian had been recalled on Friday morning from Nantes. As per PL Brazil, he will not stay with his parent club, with another loan deal beckoning.

However it is 'very unlikely' that he will move to Brazil this January.

Ramsey opens up on Arsenal exit

Aaron Ramsey has revealed that he only quit Arsenal for Juventus after a contract offer was withdrawn.

“It was something I didn’t want to happen. I was offered a contract, which I accepted, then 1-2 weeks passed and then the contract was gone," he told England365. "I don’t hold a grudge, I wish my time was a lot longer, but sometimes these things happen.”

Ramsey went on to play for Juventus and Rangers before moving back to boyhood club Cardiff City.

Man City to rival Gunners for Neto

Manchester City and Arsenal could go head-to-head for the signing of Wolves star Pedro Neto.

The Gunners have previously been linked with a swoop for the Portuguese winger and The Athletic have suggested that Man City could now make a move with Arteta keen to add a new right-winger to his squad in the summer.

Arsenal handed Solanke boost

Arsenal could potentially be in prime position to sign Dominic Solanke with Newcastle out of the race for the Bournemouth striker.

Speaking in a press conference, Eddie Howe said: "Yes, a frustrating story for me because, yes, I love Dominic Solanke, I signed him and I rate him very, very highly.

"But we have not made an enquiry for him and we don’t have the ability to sign a player of that level."

Arsenal backed to complete PSV deal

Arsenal have been backed to complete a summer deal for PSV star Ismael Saibari in the summer.

That is according to Dutch outlet NU, who suggest that a move could be on the agenda should he impress at the African Cup of Nations.

The 22-year-old has impressed at PSV and it is suggested that he could potentially have a €60m price tag.

Dyche speaks out on Onana

Sean Dyche has confirmed that Everton are not looking to sell Amadou Onana this month.

Speaking in a press conference, he said: "He's been heavily linked before I was here and after I've been here. It's just another story. At the end of the day, he's an Everton player. Any decisions we take on players will be us who decide them.

"We're in a position to do the best we can with the team we've got. We're in a position if the right deal came along - unlikely in January, you've seen how quiet it is anyway. We're certainly thinking about players going out of the building."

Marquinhos loan comes to an end

Marquinhos will return to the Gunners.

Mayoral links quashed

Arsenal have made no bids for Getafe striker Borja Mayoral despite the calls for them to add more firepower.

Mayoral has scored 14 times in all competitions for the Spanish outfit and is understood to have a release clause of €20m.

The Gunners' title charge could be derailed by a lack of a prolific striker and, after spending £200m in the summer, it is expected to be a quiet month at the Emirates.

ICYMI - Newcastle star shares Arsenal theory

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson believes Arsenal's recent dip in form is down to "fatigue" and has backed the Gunners to start "slapping teams up again" soon.

"I just think personally they’re suffering from a bit of fatigue, the amount of games have built up, the quality of the matches has dropped, the intensity has dropped a bit and that’s just due to the amount of games I think," Wilson said on the Footballer's Football Podcast

"I have no doubt that all of these teams that are up there will start slapping teams up again. I think that’s what’s happening, we’re seeing a bit of a decline in quality."

Rice caught Arsenal's eye after Wilshere pinpointed problem

Arsenal forked out a club record £105m to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium over the summer, but the midfielder caught their eye long before then in a game which laid bare the issues of the Unai Emery era.

Rice's first game against the Gunners didn't go to plan. The then-teenage star, filling in at centre-back, gifted Arsene Wenger's side a goal in a 4-1 victory against Wesr Ham just days after the legendary manager's long goodbye began.

Both managers had changed by the time Arsenal and West Ham next met. Rice was left on the bench when Manuel Pellegrini's Hammers lost to Unai Emery's Gunners in North London, but was firmly part of the furniture for the reverse fixture.

Rice came back into the starting line-up as Pellegrini looked for a turnaround after losing the first four games of the season. The tweak worked, with the youngster playing every single minute from mid-September until the end of April, scoring his first senior goal in a win against Arsenal just days before his 20th birthday.

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Arteta warned against Toney move

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been warned by a former teammate that signing Ivan Toney may not be a guaranteed success.

The Gunners have been linked with the Brentford talisman for quite some time and amid a string of wasteful performances in front of goal, the clamour to land his signature is larger than ever among the Emirates faithful. The Bees are expected to demand at least £100million to part ways with the 27-year-old this month.

Toney hasn't kicked a ball competitively all season due to an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting regulations and ex-Gunner Bacary Sagna believes that the lengthy lay-off is enough to offer Arteta some food for thought this window.

Speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of Sagna revealed that he does harbour some concerns over the potential signing of Toney. He claimed: "I like Ivan Toney. I think he is a very talented player. It will be interesting to see how he comes back after missing the first half of the season through suspension. How will he be able to deal with the physicality of the Premier League after a six-month absence?"

Read the full story here

Arteta gets double injury boost including star Arsenal icon called 'not good enough'

Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost after both Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira were seen training during the Gunners' winter training camp in Dubai.

Timber joined Arsenal from Ajax over the summer, but has been out of action since August after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.

There were concerns the defender could be out for the entire season but his recovery is going well, with Arsenal sharing footage of Timber taking part in some ball work while out in Dubai. Vieira, meanwhile, has been pictured back in full team training as he continues his recovery after undergoing groin surgery in November.

The midfielder has missed Arsenal's last ten games in all competitions, but Arteta admitted earlier this month he hopes Vieira will be available for selection by the end of the month. "He's doing well again, but it was a surgery that required two different things to get results," Arteta said.

ICYMI - Ramsdale sent warning

Aaron Ramsdale has been warned off leaving Arsenal this month, despite losing his place to David Raya. Despite his struggles to retake his place, Gunners legend Paul Merson does not believe an exit in the transfer window is the right move.

"When you sign these contracts for £100,000, £150,000-a-week, you can’t just go, 'Oh I’m not in the team. I’m leaving tomorrow morning, I wanna play somewhere else'. It’s a horrible position for goalkeepers," he told Sky Sports.

"But where are you going to go? You’re not going to Liverpool, you’re not going to Manchester United. The only one I can see is Chelsea and I don’t see Arsenal selling to Chelsea. So for me, I think he’ll have to fight for his place."

Ian Wright's granddaughter blocked from playing by football club for being 'too good'

Former Chelsea and Manchester City ace Shaun Wright-Phillips has taken aim at Bury Rangers Girls football club for blocking his daughter's participation from any future tournaments.

The son of Arsenal icon Ian Wright took to social media to vent his anger towards the local club for rejecting Raphaelle's attempts to take part in an upcoming tournament as well as 'any general participation'. Wright-Phillips wrote on X: "So today I was told my daughter Raphaelle is NOT allowed to play with her friends in local girls tournaments or any general participation because she is effectively 'too good'.

"She is 10 years old! She simply wants to play football with her friends. There should not be an ability restriction. Players in general will have all kinds of skill levels, and it's my view any 'stronger players' should not be punished for this."

"There will naturally be all variations of ability in all walks of life, and it's important for everyone to be competitive and set bars to improve one another. Very disappointed to hear this BuryOfficial and MarlowFC."

Tomiyasu talks progressing well

Arsenal hope to extend the stay of right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and it is believed that negotiations between the two parties are progressing well.

Having joined in the summer of 2021, Tomiyasu has been one of the Gunners' more underrated servants, though injury issues have often thwarted him during periods of stellar form.

Prior to his most recent injury, Tomiyasu was being linked with the likes of AC Milan, Roma and Napoli. He is currently unavailable to the Gunners having been called up to the Japan national team for the Asia Cup.

While it is now widely expected that Tomiyasu will extend his stay at the Emirates, the strcuture of the new contract still needs clarifiying and could still be weeks away from being signed.

Toney wants to "repay" Brentford

The Brentford talisman has discussed how grateful he is for the support from his club while serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting regulations.

Toney's comments certainly don't read like a man who wants out of Brentford anytime soon, despite the rumours regarding a move to Arsenal.

In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football, Toney said: "They (Brentford) have been nothing but amazing for me. I can't thank them enough, especially the fans. They were behind me from the first minute as well. So it's kind of like I have a lot to repay."

Arteta receives striker advice

Arsenal's need for a new striker is well-documented and a number of names have been touted with a move to the Emirates to take up the position.

Brentford talisman Ivan Toney has long been the favourite to lead the line in north London, but Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have urged Arsenal to make a move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen instead.

Discussing Arsenal’s dream signing, Gary Lineker told The Rest Is Football podcast: "[They need] a striker like most…" before Shearer interjected with: "Osimhen!"

Ex-Manchester City and England defender Richards added: "Osimhen would be my one for Arsenal."

(AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal rivalling Man Utd for 'unique' £50m transfer - but can't activate release clause

Arsenal are interested in signing Bologna sensation Joshua Zirkzee amid Mikel Arteta's search for a new striker.

The Gunners have struggled for goals over recent weeks, with a host of forwards being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. Ivan Toney is reportedly among their targets, while Dusan Vlahovic and Borja Mayoral have also been linked.

It has now been claimed that the Gunners have added Dutch striker Zirkzee to their shortlist. He has previously been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The Telegraph report that Arsenal are keeping a close eye on the former Bayern Munich star. His current employers have slapped a £50m asking price on Zirkzee’s services.

Bologna’s sporting director Marco Di Vaio previously issued a hands-off warning to anyone interested in Zirkzee. He also revealed that only Zirkzee’s former club Bayern are able to activate a release clause written into his deal.

“How many phone calls have we received? None. And we wouldn’t answer anyway!” he told Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Joshua is a nine-and-a-half [position], yes, but he doesn’t resemble anyone. He’s a unique player. The release clause? It is valid only for Bayern [Munich]. For the other clubs the price is open… but our top players will not move in January.”

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Arsenal eye Frimpong

Arsenal have reportedly agreed to trigger the release clause in Jeremie Frimpong's contract at Bayer Leverkusen. The defender has starred for Xabi Alonso's men this season during their surprise Bundesliga title challenge.

His performances have attracted the attention of Arsenal, who will be looking for defensive recruits. According to BILD, the Gunners are ready to trigger his £34m release clause, which becomes active in the summer.

It is said that Arsenal see the clause as a potential bargain, with Frimpong having featured in every Leverkusen league game this term. While Leverkusen are keen to keep hold of the Dutchman, the release clause takes matters out of their hands.

Jeremie Frimpong has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Getty Images)

Zirkzee latest

Arsenal are interested in signing Bologna sensation Joshua Zirkzee amid Mikel Arteta's search for a new striker.

The Gunners have struggled for goals over recent weeks, with a host of forwards being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. Ivan Toney is reportedly among their targets, while Dusan Vlahovic and Borja Mayoral have also been linked.

It has now been claimed that the Gunners have added Dutch striker Zirkzee to their shortlist. He has previously been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The Telegraph report that Arsenal are keeping a close eye on the former Bayern Munich star. His current employers have slapped a £50m asking price on Zirkzee’s services.

Read the full story here

(Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Ramsdale sent warning

Aaron Ramsdale has been warned off leaving Arsenal this month, despite losing his place to David Raya. Despite his struggles to retake his place, Gunners legend Paul Merson does not believe an exit in the transfer window is the right move.

"When you sign these contracts for £100,000, £150,000-a-week, you can’t just go, 'Oh I’m not in the team. I’m leaving tomorrow morning, I wanna play somewhere else'. It’s a horrible position for goalkeepers," he told Sky Sports.

"But where are you going to go? You’re not going to Liverpool, you’re not going to Manchester United. The only one I can see is Chelsea and I don’t see Arsenal selling to Chelsea. So for me, I think he’ll have to fight for his place."

Aaron Ramsdale has been linked with a move away from Arsenal in January (Getty Images)

Arsenal told not to sign a new striker

Arsenal have been linked with moves for several strikers so far this month, but former Premier League goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov believes the Gunners do not need to strengthen their forward line in the January transfer window.

"I think it's just a moment, a pure moment in games where it can happen to any team," Berbatov told football.london. "They have enough quality up front to score goals, but sometimes it just doesn't happen, not for lack of trying, the ball just doesn't go into the back of the net.

"[Gabriel] Jesus I like, since the moment he arrived at [Manchester] City. He's great, coming back from injury, as long as he stays fit I think he will be great for the team. I don't think in the January window you can make a major buy in, like a major name, probably in the summer, but for the moment they will be fine they don't need to buy anyone."

(Getty Images)

Arsenal rival Man Utd for Ajax star

Erik ten Hag is keeping tabs on Ajax striker Brian Brobbey as Manchester United begin to plan their summer transfer window.

The Old Trafford boss has worked with the Dutch striker in the past as he handed him his debut at Ajax in 2020. Ten Hag remains confident he will remain as United manager and is already starting to think about how he can bolster his attack in the summer.

The Dutchman also wants to bring in a forward in January but the club’s financial position means that will only be a loan. That would rule out a move for Brobbey, 21, in this window unless United can suddenly raise funds.

But they will continue to scout the Holland international as a potential striker to compete with Rasmus Hojlund. Anthony Martial is expected to leave this summer when his contract expires so United will need another front man.

Arsenal are also expected to be in the market for a striker as they desperately need a goalscorer and have cast an eye over Brobbey, too.

Read the full story here

(Hollandse Hoogte/REX/Shutterstock)

Injury boost

Thomas Partey could give Arsenal a major boost by returning before the end of the month.

Partey has stepped up his rehabilitation work and could be in line to return to first team duty for Arsenal ’s trip to Nottingham Forest on January 30. Gunners midfielder Partey has missed the Africa Cup of Nations because of his ongoing thigh injury but that does not mean that he is unable to play for Arsenal before the end of the tournament.

Ghana boss Chris Hughton made it clear that they had good dialogue with Arsenal and realised that if they did pick Partey then he might not be available until after the group stage of AFCON. But Ghana would not attempt to block Partey playing for Arsenal as they have good relations and understand the midfielder has been recovering from undergoing a medical procedure on his thigh in November.

Partey also had a groin problem earlier in the season and this campaign has been disrupted after a string of injuries. But there has been no setback or delay and Partey is now ready to step up his recovery and that will give Mikel Arteta a much-needed boost.

Read the full story here

Thomas Partey has been back in Arsenal training but will miss AFCON (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)