25 January 2024 , 04:00
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There is just over a week to go until the January transfer window closes and Arsenal have yet to make any new signings.
The Gunners are well and truly in the Premier League title race and currently sit third in the table, just five points behind leaders Liverpool. However, it appears incredibly unlikely Mikel Arteta will be able to strengthen his squad.
Arteta admitted at the start of the month that Arsenal making a significant signing "doesn't look realistic", but some groundwork is being laid for the summer and there could still be some outgoings. Here's a round-up of the latest Arsenal transfer news.
Marseille eye Tavares
According to L'Equipe, Nuno Tavares could be set for a permanent move to Marseille this month after a deal to sign Quentin Merlin from Nantes stalled.
Tavares spent last season on loan at Marseille and is now at Nottingham Forest, where he has only made four starts. The player is said to be keen on the move, but things are complicated by the fact that Arsenal do not have the option to recall him from Forest.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
However, Forest are in talks to sign both Gio Reyna and Carlos Borges on loan from Borussia Dortmund and Ajax respectively and may send Tavares back to Arsenal to make room for them as Premier League rules limit the amount of loan players teams can have.
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Marseille are interested in signing Nuno Tavares (Ritchie Sumpter/NFFC via Getty Images)Arsenal scout Simons
Arsenal were among a host of top European teams who sent scouts to Xavi Simons in action for RB Leipzig at the weekend when they face Bayer Leverkusen, according to HITC.
Simons was on target as Leipzig lost 3-2 and Arsenal are understood to be long-term admirers of the Dutchman. He is under contract to Paris Saint-Germain, who sold him to PSV Eindhoven in 2022 before re-signing him last summer and sending him out on loan to Leipzig.
The report adds that Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United also sent scouts to watch Simons last weekend, while Simons' Leipzig temmate Lois Openda and Leverkusen stars Exequiel Palacios and Jeremie Frimpong was also on Arsenal's radar.
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Arsenal are long-term admirers of Xavi Simons (Stuart Franklin)Gunners urged to sign Vlahovic
Ex-Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre believes Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic would be an "excellent" addition for the Gunners, but fears a January transfer is "not realistic".
"I don’t think they can afford him financially," Silvestre told bettingexpert.com. "Based on ability and technically he’s excellent. We would have to deal with Juventus which isn’t easy. Would he be a good buy? Yes. 100%. I don’t think it will happen unless they can get him on loan.
"We have two weeks left of the window. It’s more of a summer signing because Juventus are fighting for the title and it wouldn't be smart to jeopardise their chances. It will be a close fight with Inter for the title and they want to maintain that so it’s not realistic this winter."
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Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes