Arsenal suffer major blow to striker plans amid £69m battle with Chelsea

16 January 2024 , 04:00

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Arsenal suffer major blow to striker plans amid £69m battle with Chelsea

Arsenal's January recruitment drive is yet to get started, despite Gunners supporters urging them to make new signings this month.

Mikel Arteta has led his faltering side to just one win in six games, with Arsenal now locked on the same amount of points as arch rivals Tottenham. There's room for improvement in the Gunners' ranks, particularly up front, with a striker being the priority to the vast majority of fans and pundits. Defence, though, is another area which Arteta and technical director Edu may want to bolster.

Here's a round-up of the latest transfer news from the Emirates this Tuesday.

Bolgona chief deals Zirkzee blow

Arsenal now face the prospect of stumping up Bologna's £50million asking price for Joshua Zirkzee, whose release clause only applies to former club Bayern Munich. The Dutch striker, 22, has been linked with a big-money move to North London following his impressive second campaign with the Italian side.

When asked about the clause which would allow Zirkzee to be sold for £34million, Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "It's only valid for Bayern Munich." Manchester United have also been tipped to make a swoop for the ex-Netherlands youth international.

Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush

Your turn! Should Arsenal pay £50m for Joshua Zirkzee? Let us know your stance in the comments section.

Bolgona value Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee at £50million (Gabriele Maricchiolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Arsenal battling Chelsea for defender

London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly fighting it out in the race to sign £69million-rated defender Ousmane Diomande. The 20-year-old, who plays for Sporting Lisbon, is currently being scouted by multiple clubs while representing host country Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Via Sport Witness, Portuguese outlet Record note Arsenal and Chelsea's interest as well as state his £69m release clause. Arteta might bolster his rearguard this month, with the versatile Jurrien Timber expected to be out until March as he recovers from a serious knee injury and Poland international Jakub Kiwior potentially on his way out.

Arteta urged to recall Tierney

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has advised Mikel Arteta recall left-back Kieran Tierney from his loan at Real Sociedad. Tierney, 26, is now a regular starter for the San Sebastian side, who'll soon face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.

But with Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko struggling, Petit told DAZN Bet. "From what I've seen recently, I think they should recall players who have been on loan, like Tierney for example, the left-back, because Zinchenko looks a little bit tired as well. He [Tierney] needed to play as well, as a young player you need to get minutes."

Nathan Ridley