Arsenal handed huge Victor Osimhen boost as two new midfield additions eyed

28 January 2024 , 04:00

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Mikel Arteta is already planning summer transfers

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta looks set to end the January transfer window without making any new signings, much to the frustration of Gunners fans.

However, the Spaniard is seemingly willing to oversee a boring January if it means he can enjoy a summer spending spree according to reports. Arsenal were certainly not inactive last summer, landing the services of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber on permanent deals for a combined fee of £208million, as well as securing David Raya on loan from Brentford.

It could be a similarly busy summer window next time around, with Arteta believed to be keeping tabs on two midfield maestros from La Liga and the Championship. A new striker is also thought to be high on the wishlist amid recent attacking woes.

With that being said, Mirror Football has analysed some of the main transfer talking points emerging out of the Emirates on Sunday, January 28.

Arsenal leading Zubimendi race

Arsenal have been backed to revisit their interest in Martin Zubimendi (Getty Images)

Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi has long been linked with a move to the red half of north London, but is rumoured to have snubbed Arsenal's interest last summer in favour of staying put in San Sebastian.

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However, things move quickly in football and the 24-year-old remains someone Arteta is desperate to sign, so much so that he is ready to launch a second charge for Zubimendi come the end of the campaign. Reports in Germany suggest it is the Gunners who are now in pole position to win the race for the Spanish midfielder.

Arsenal are not the only European giant interested in Zubimendi, with reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich also admirers, but it is the Gunners who look the most likely to activate his £53m release clause.

Leicester star being tracked

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is attracting late Premier League interest (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Zubimendi is not the only midfielder Arsenal like the look of, with Leicester City ace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also a talent Arteta thinks highly of.

However, the young Foxes ace has a number of Premier League sides lining up to pry him away from the King Power Stadium. Brighton are already in negotiations with Leicester regarding a potential switch.

As per The Athletic, the Championship table-toppers are demanding at least £30m before they sanction Dewsbury-Hall's exit. The Gunners will have to fend off not only the Seagulls, but Fulham if they are serious in their interest.

Osimhen on the move

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Victor Osimhen, who will leave Napoli in the summer (Getty Images)

Victor Osimhen is one of the most in-demand strikers on the continent and few clubs have been linked with a new leading man like Arsenal.

Arteta has already confirmed that there will be no new striker this month, but that is unlikely to remain the case in the summer. Napoli ace Osimhen has been the subject of links to the Gunners, as well as Chelsea and Real Madrid to name just three sides.

Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the Nigeria international will leave the club come the end of the current campaign.

"This was already known since this summer, our negotiations were friendly, otherwise it would not have been so long," he explained. "We knew he would go to Real Madrid, PSG or a top English club."

Josh O'Brien