All eight of Arsenal‘s forward transfer targets look unattainable in the January transfer window.
The Gunners haven’t been as free-scoring as fans have become used to during Mikel Arteta‘s reign so far this season. So losing top goal contributor Bukayo Saka, with nine goals and 13 assists across all competitions, for an extended period is as significant a blow as their boss could’ve suffered.
Saka is expected to be sidelined until at least March after undergoing surgery for his hamstring injury. And that naturally sparked suggestion Arteta could utilise the winter market to strengthen his attacking options.
He and the Emirates hierarchy did so to great effect two years ago when signing Leandro Trossard from Brighton in a deal worth up to £27million. But doing good business midway through the season is far harder than the summer, and it’s looking like that’s certainly going to be the case this time around.
As many as eight names have emerged as being admired in north London. They are Alexander Isak, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Leroy Sane, Benjamin Sesko, Nico Williams, Florian Wirtz and Arda Guler.
A £150million price tag is said to have been slapped on Isak by Newcastle United to ward off any interest. Wolves have a similar no-sale stance on Cunha, who they’re in contract extension talks with.
Thomas Frank swiftly shut down speculation surrounding Mbeumo, who scored against Arsenal on New Year’s Day. He said in the build-up to Brentford’s 3-1 defeat: “In January? I would say good luck. We love Bryan. He loves playing here. He has had a fantastic season, so nothing will happen.”
While the three Premier League stars have been talismanic for their sides, Sane has often found himself on the fringes of Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich team ahead of his impending contract expiry. But a return to England this month has previously been ruled out by Bayern, according to reports in Germany.
Sesko is another who it would take a nine-figure sum to secure, with Leipzig having him tied down until 2029. And that is money the Gunners simply won’t splash, at least not for now.
Williams will also likely remain a long-term target, despite being one of the few reasonably priced prospects with a £49m release clause. The Spain international has repeatedly asserted his loyalty to Athletic Bilbao and is believed to be unwilling to put them in the undesirable position of leaving during a campaign where they’re in contention for Champions League qualification.
As for Wirtz, who announced himself to the elite with a standout Euro 2024 like Williams, he’s reportedly closing in on a contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen. And while Guler could be headed for the Real Madrid exit door due to a lack of minutes, that’s not looking like a possibility until the summer at the earliest.
Arteta and Co have ample time to reassess their options in the coming weeks. But the usual difficulties of tempting both clubs and players into making moves in January looks like it could make for a frustrating window without a new forward addition once again.
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