Jonathan Kaney brings in the weekend with the latest transfer gossip surrounding Arsenal, giving his views on each!
Arsenal won’t sign a striker in January (Express)
With January approaching and an injury crisis rocking the Emirates, the past week has seen the Gunners linked with a huge number of attacking players including: Isco, Gonzalo Higuain, Alexsandr Kokorin, Nolito, Michy Batshuayi and Leroy Sane to name a few.
However, those rumours could all come to nothing with the press jumping on comments made by Gunners Chief Scout Brian McDermott over the possibility of new striker arriving at the Emirates in January. He said:
“The manager won’t spend unless he thinks its absolutely necessary. We all know who the top strikers in the world are. Can you get them to come? They won’t be available in January that’s an absolute certainty.”
Gooners will be frustrated to hear that kind of talk, particularly with our injury crisis, however I can understand why McDermott and Arsene would not be keen to spend money on an average short term solution and elect to wait for a world class target like Antoine Griezmann or Edison Cavani in the summer.
With us challenging on all fronts aside from the League Cup though, we need world class reinforcements, even if it is just a solid player in the mould of Kokorin or Nolito to give us depth in the push for the title.
Arsenal on alert as Lyon defender open to exit (Metro)
The Metro are reporting that Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti has expressed an interest in a move to the Premier League. The France Under-21 international said: “Going abroad is a dream, there are very great clubs that you dream about. England? Everyone admires that league.”
Chelsea and Arsenal are thought to be monitoring the highly-rated Frenchman and with Arsene Wenger’s long history of signing talented French players, Umtiti could well be one for the future at the Emirates.
Arsenal eying Juventus defender (Telegraph)
More defensive rumours this time as the Telegraph reports that Arsène Wenger is ready to battle Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri to sign young Italian defender Daniele Rugani from Juventus. The 21-year-old defender, is thought to be keen on leaving the Italian champions after struggling to get playing time ahead of the experienced Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci.
The Gunners are reportedly ready to offer £13 million for the Italy under-21 international, although with defence a position well stocked at the moment, most Gooners would agree that midfield and attack is more of priority this January.