Another day, another gossip column. Jonathan Kaney returns to give his Arsenal transfer round-up once again- and it’s an exciting one today!
Arsenal eye six potential Coquelin replacements (Mail)
The Daily Mail reports that Arsene Wenger has a six-man shortlist of names to replace the injured Francis Coquelin which includes William Carvalho, Lars Bender, Gregorz Krychowiak, Lucas Biglia and Nice starlets Nampalys Mendy and Vincent Koziello, who Arsene Wenger rates highly.
While Bender and Krychowiak are excellent players, they would be tough signatures to make in January – particularly Kryochowiak who recently signed a new deal at Sevilla.
Nice youngsters, 20-year-old Vincent Koziello and 23-year-old Nampalys Mendy, are promising talents and playing well in France, but are both untested at a high level and would be signings for the future rather than a first-team option to replace Coquelin.
William Carvalho, who has been a long-term target for the Gunners, looks the best option at the moment.
Championship trio chase Iwobi loan (Metro)
The Metro are reporting that highly-rated Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi could be set for a loan move to Birmingham, Reading or Sheffield United before Wednesday’s deadline for the emergency loan window.
The Nigerian international is a hugely promising prospect with a bright future at the Emirates, but has struggled for games in Arsene Wenger’s first-team with the Gunners out of the League Cup and fighting at the top of the Premier League.
With opportunities likely to be few and far between this season for Iwobi, a loan move could be the best option at this point in his career.
Arsenal lead chase for ‘Serbian Messi’ (Mail)
Arsene Wenger is interested in signing 19-year-old Partizan Belgrade teenager Andrija Zivkovic, according to the Mirror.
The young Serbian starlet has been likened to Lionel Messi with his outstanding dribbling and ability take on his man. He is a talent whose style of play fits perfectly into Arsenal’s free-flowing and fluid attacking football and would be a great signing for the future.
Icardi set for January Arsenal move (Metro)
The Metro reports that Arsenal are ready to make a January transfer offer for Inter Milan’s controversial star striker Mauro Icardi.
Icardi was given the Inter captaincy at the start of the season but has struggled to capture his outstanding form from last campaign, where he managed 27 goals in 48 games last season.
Arsene Wenger is renowned for getting the best out of talented strikers and with our striking options limited, Icardi would be a great signing for us to offer goals and a different dimension to our front line.