January is not expected to be a busy month of transfers for Arsenal, but that has not stopped the rumours from circulating.
Arsene Wenger has played down the hopes of us bringing in any new players, but he may well have just been trying to soften the blow of not landing any of his targets, instead of ruling out trying to strengthen at all.
One player who would most definitely bring some pizzazz to our squad would be Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco. We were linked with a move for the playmaker in the summer, but he has since signed a new contract, although Diego Simeone is claimed to be considering his sale. Chelsea and Manchester United will likely challenge for his signature also however, and we know our club don’t wish to battle financially for signings.
One player we are claimed to have already made a ‘concrete offer’ for is Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko. The defensive midfielder is enjoying a thoroughly impressive season with Monaco, in which he has been a key figure in helping his side stay within two points of the Ligue 1 top spot, and importantly three points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Interest is also believed to come from Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea, but we are believed to be leading the latter two along with the former.
Another we are supposedly ‘battling’ to sign is Maximilian Philipp, but our rival for his signature is only Tottenham. The 22 year-old was key in helping his Freiburg side return to the top tier of German football, and has continued his run with five goals so far this season in the Bundesliga. Philipp is said to be available for a lowly £4 Million, and could well be a more likely acquisition than the previous two.
Kostas Manolas is a player who we are claimed to have ‘used as a pawn‘ in order to land Mustafi for a lower fee. We are said to have opened talks with Roma over a deal whilst Valencia attempted to play hard ball in demanding £50 Million, before we eventually sealed a deal for around the £35 Million mark.
Can you see us signing any of these players?
Pat J