With the international break here again, and disrupting the season’s flow, there’s good news on the transfer front as Jonathan Kaney explains all the latest gossip.
Arsenal join hunt for Gaitan (Mirror)
The Mirror reports that Arsenal have joined both Manchester clubs in the chase for Benfica’s £24m rated midfielder Nicolas Gaitan.
All three clubs had scouts watching over the dynamic winger in Benfica’s Champions League win over Galatasaray to cast an eye over him in the flesh.
Gaitain is a name long linked with a move to the Premier League and with us in near crisis in terms of our injuries and options on the wing, £24m would be a snip for a player of his calibre. I would love to see us pip the Manchester clubs to his signature and he would be a real signal of intent from Arsene that we are serious about a title push.
Gunners eye League Two starlet (Metro)
Arsenal are favourites to sign highly-rated 21-year-old Josh Windass from League Two side Accrington Stanley according to the Metro.
Windass is the son of former Premier League striker and Hull hero Dean Windass, however plays further back than his father did in a central creative midfield role.
With some superb performances over the last 18 months in League Two, Arsene Wenger is thought to be impressed with him and ready pay up to a £1m to beat off the likes of Portsmouth, Brighton, Fulham and Hull for his signature.
Debuchy considering January exit (Daily Mail)
Mathieu Debuchy could try to force a move away from the Emirates in January after being displaced as first choice right back by Hector Bellerin according to the Daily Mail.
The Frenchman has recently found himself back in the first team after an injury to the impressive Bellerin, however has played poorly when given opportunities this season. With Euro 2016 taking place in his home country and reports that he won’t make Didier Deschamps squad on current form, it’s widely thought he will ask Arsene Wenger to move on in January.
The Gunners faithful have been particularly frustrated with his attitude this season and his performances have shown he is not the quality we need as cover for Bellerin, let alone the first team. His career could have been very different were it not for injury, but his departure will be no great loss with Calum Chambers able to play right back and Carl Jenkinson to
Arsenal maintain interest in huge European trio (Metro)
The Metro and various others in the football media are resurrecting the never ending transfer saga of Karim Benzema, Edison Cavani and Jese arriving at the Emirates.
After completely ruling out a move a few weeks ago, Benzema has been embroiled in an embarrassing legal scandal this week and reports are claiming he may well seek to move from Madrid for a fresh start, despite their vocal support for him.
The rumours of Cavani and Jese continue to also circulate, however knowing Arsene’s reluctance to spend huge sums of money, I wouldn’t expect to see any of these players arrive at the Emirates any time soon. The only way it seems to get these rumours to stop though, is to get them all signed up in January!