Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mbappe ‘willing to join Gunners’, Chelsea ‘in battle for Williams’, Neto updates
KYLIAN MBAPPE is reportedly “willing” to sign for Arsenal in a blockbuster move so he can follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams ahead of a potential summer transfer.
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Spurs set to beat Arsenal and United to Radu
Tottenham are expected to fend off Arsenal and Manchester United to sign Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano Spurs have agreed personal terms to with the13-cap Romanian.
Dragusin, 21, joined Genoa permanently from Juventus in January 2023 following a successful loan spell.
Arsenal 'lack options' - Carragher
Jamie Carragher has lamented Arsenal's lack of forward options and thinks they should be addressed in the January market.
The Gunners have been goal shy of latewith their front line oftern drawing blanks.
Carragher told Sky Sports: "They're all having really good seasons [Arsenal's forwards] but the gold standard of shot conversion is 20-plus. That's what your Mo Salah, your Erling Haaland, your Harry Kane is getting.
"None of Arsenal's front four have got above that number even last season. And yet they are still creating the same number of shots a game and they've still got the same xG so these players are underperforming from last season, when even then still wasn't good enough in terms of winning a title.
"All four of Arsenal's front are top players but none of them are world class. I think Saka can become world class, but in this league Liverpool won a title because they had Mo Salah. City have won titles in the past because they had [Sergio] Aguero and they've now got Haaland. Is that enough for Arsenal to win a league title? Are any of them world class right now to take Arsenal to a title? I'd say no."
Tomiyasu close to new Arsenal deal
Takehiro Tomiyasu is close to penning a new long-term contract at Arsenal according to The Daily Mail.
The defender has been nursing a calf injury in recent months and is set to leave for the Asia Cup imminently.
But his versatility has proved vital to Mikel Arteta, with the Japanese international able to play anywhere across the defence.
Credit: Getty
Emile Smith Rowe 'deserves better'
Arsenal fans have said that Emile Smith Rowe "deserves better" after his handshake was snubbed by Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazillian huffed and puffed his way to the bench after a poor performance and snubbed the hand of Smith Rowe.
Someone asked: "What has Smith Rowe done to Martinelli to warrant this?"
Arsenal not pushing for Toney
Arsenal are not pushing to sign Ivan Toney in January, according to TEAMtalk.
That's despite the Gunners struggling in front of goal in recent weeks.
Brentford want £100million for the forward this window but there is a growing likelihood he will sign a new contract with a summer release clause.
Credit: Getty Arsenal tempted to bring Tierney back
Arsenal are reportedly tempted to end Kieran Tierany's loan at Real Sociedad after Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the Gunners’ 2-1 loss to Fulham.
An injury crisis and rising pressure are the challenges that Mikel Arteta faces, as his team has suffered three defeats in their last five games.
Left-back Zinchenko has started 14 Premier League games this term but surprised fans as he was not included in Arsenal's matchday squad at Craven Cottage.
Arteta confirmed the Ukranian was suffering from a “slight calf issue”.
As he said to reporters after the game: “We don’t know. He felt something in his calf. We will scan him tomorrow and see how far he’s going to miss games.”
Rice blasts fellow players
Declan Rice blasted his fellow Arsenal players following their 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Sunday.
The midfielder said after the game: "We let the fans down and we let ourselves down. We need to take more control.
"We need to have more self-belief, more desire, the mentality needs to be better.
“That’s where we need to demand more from each other. We are fighting up the top end of the table and the goals that we have conceded, it cannot happen.
“It is about knowing you’re going to fight for every ball. We need to push each other more when times get tough.
“In this league there is no room to mess up. There are so many good teams around you and obviously we want to be pushing up the top end of the table.”
Timber making good progress
Jurrien Timber is making good progress in his ACL rehabilitation - according to the Daily Mail.
The defender could begin featuring in the side again as early as next month.
Arsenal planning to travel to Dubai
Arsenal will travel to Dubai for warm weather training this new year according to the Mirror.
The trip is planned for after Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool, but the dates are likely to have to be a little bit flexible in case Arsenal end up getting a replay & have to go to Anfield.
Gunners playing with injuries
Several Arsenal players are playing through injury according to John Cross in The Mirror.
Bukayo Saka is playing through an Achilles problem that has plagued him through much of the season.
Ben White is also struggling to shake off an unspecified injury.
Meanwhile Japan have requested that Takehiro Tomiyasu joins up with their squad for the Asia Cup.
Hughton on Partey's AFCON omission
Ghana manager Chris Hughton has had his say on Thomas Partey's omission from Ghana's AFCON squad.
He told the media: “Thomas is one of our most important players & withstanding his injury, he certainly would be in the squad. This is a big injury for him & the biggest injury that he’s had.
“I’ve spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas & also engaging with the medical staff at Arsenal. They will treat this injury with caution & so will the player.
“From all the information that we’ve been given, the timelines of his recovery & the caution that will be taken, will not meet our timelines for the AFCON.”
Arsenal interested in defender
Arsenal have made contact with Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to Football Insider.
Arsenal are keen to bring in a defender for the second half of the season.
Football Insider claim that the deal is more likely to happen in the summer, however.
Credit: Getty Thomas Partey injured
Thomas Partey has faced a set-back during his return from injury.
The midfielder was hoping to make the AFCON squad for Ghana this January.
But his omission from Chris Hughton's squad is an indication of the severity of his injury according to The Telegraph.
Credit: Getty Arteta's shopping list
The Daily Mail have revealed Mikel Arteta's shopping list for January.
The manager wants two midfielders and a defender to their ranks before the start of next season.
There is a feeling amongst many at the club that the arrival of a versatile defender should be prioritised in January.
Timber return date
Jurrien Timber is pencilled in to return to action in March, according to The Daily Mail.
He is making "pleasing progress" in his recovery from his ACL injury.
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Arsenal in ‘final stages’ of Tomiyasu negotiations
Takehiro Tomiyasu is closing in on a new long-term contract with Arsenal, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners are advancing to final stages of negotiations.
Credit: Alamy Gunners draw up shortlist
Arsenal have a four-man shortlist of attacking targets for the January transfer window.
The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for a new striker when the window re-opens on Monday.
According to the , long-term targets Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney remain of interest to Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface and Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez are also potential signings.
January transfer window OPEN
The January transfer window has officially opened across the planet, including the Premier League and EFL.
Prem clubs, such as Arsenal, can move for reinforcement throughout the month with top teams looking to push for the title while others fight to avoid relegation.
The winter transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Thursday, February 1 this term.
And deals will be rubber-stamped beyond that date if an extension is granted.
Free agents can sign for a new outfit even outside any transfer window.
However, Prem sides can't sign permanent players after the transfer window closes, though some stars could still depart.
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Earps signs with new agent
Man Utd goalkeeper Mary Earps has signed with a new agency on the first day of the January transfer window.
The BBC's Sports Personality of the Year has just six months remaining on her current United contract.
She has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal since the summer.
Earps has signed with A&V Sports.
Credit: Getty
Timber return date
Jurrien Timber is pencilled in to return to action in March, according to The Daily Mail.
He is making "pleasing progress" in his recovery from his ACL injury.
Crystal Palace interested in Nketiah
Arsenal have rejected an initial enquiry for striker Eddie Nketiah from Crystal Palace, according to reports.
The Daily Mail have claimed the Gunners have turned down an approach from the Eagles as they search for a new striker.
Arsenal are said to have immediately informed Palace that the England international is not available.
The North London club are reportedly steadfast that a deal for Nketiah to leave the Emirates will not happen in January as things stand.
But it is yet to be seen if that may change in the near future depending on incoming business from Mikel Arteta's side in the winter window.
Crystal Palace have been eyeing Nketiah for a long time and are in the market for a new centre-forward.
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Juventus target Arsenal youngster
Juventus are reportedly plotting a swoop for Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino - and they are ready to offer an ex-Premier League player in part-exchange.
The 20-year-old England U21 midfielder is currently on loan at Championship side Swansea City.
He has impressed for the Swans this term, scoring three goals and producing four assists in 19 appearances.
Football scout Michele Fratini had claimed earlier this month that Juventus had been tracking the youngster’s progress ahead of a potential move.
Now Tuttosport have stated that they are prepared to offer ex-Everton forward Moise Kean, 23, as part of the package.
Arsenal value Patino, who has 18 months left on his contract, at around £17.4million - a fee that Juventus are not able to afford in the January transfer window.
There, instead they are said to preparing a proposal of a part-exchange deal that would see Italian international Kean moving in the opposite direction to the Emirates.
