Arsenal have been given a clear advantage in the race for a Premier League star who’s also wanted by Tottenham, with a January move also on the cards.
Arsenal tipped for quiet January after major summer spend
Andrea Berta splashed nearly £270 million on eight major signings during his debut summer window in north London, and reports suggest that the Gunners could expect a more quiet winter window for the Italian.
Arsenal’s summer spending spree delivered eight significant arrivals, including Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
This remarkable depth across every department means January business appears quite unnecessary, provided unmissable opportunities don’t arise, that is.
UEFA’s Squad Coast regulations have reportedly influenced Arsenal’s cautious stance, with stricter squad amortization and wage controls demanding careful navigation (The Mirror).
The club is currently sailing perilously close to squad cost limits, making substantial additions virtually impossible without corresponding departures.
Standout attacker ‘will soon sign’ for Arsenal with talks in ‘full swing’
He’s been in fine form this season.
Gabriel Jesus could be one of Arsenal’s candidates for the exit door, should a significant offer come in. The Brazilian forward, who is on the verge of a return to action after 11 months out with an ACL injury, faces long-term uncertainty given the presence of Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino.
Jesus was an unused substitute against Chelsea and Brentford, but Arteta has now included the Brazil international in his Champions League squad to replace the injured Max Dowman.
Any Jesus sale would generate transfer funds, while compatriot Gabriel Martinelli remains another player Arsenal could consider selling if substantial bids arrive (BBC).
The Brazilian’s position has become increasingly precarious following Madueke and Eze’s arrivals, not to mention Leandro Trossard’s outstanding form, with his contract also expiring in 2027.
Martinelli’s exit would lead to the possibility of another winger coming in (BBC), with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo available for £65 million early next month thanks to a release clause in his contract.
The Ghanaian’s exceptional form has attracted interest from N5, Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool heading into January, but while Arsenal may need to sell before they can realistically move, they still have a leg-up on Spurs.
Antoine Semenyo ‘far more tempted’ to join Arsenal than Tottenham
That is according to The Sun’s Tom Barclay, who reports that Semenyo is ‘far more tempted’ to join Arsenal over Tottenham should a January transfer materialize.
History could repeat itself here following last summer’s Eberechi Eze saga.
The 25-year-old’s release clause is activatable until January 10, making him available despite Tottenham’s intensifying interest. However, Semenyo apparently remains hesitant about moving to north London’s white half — the identical reservation that preceded Eze’s sensational late switch to Arsenal.
Tottenham had reached an agreement with Crystal Palace for Eze last August before Arsenal thundered in dramatically, securing the attacking midfielder’s signature in a £67.5 million deal.
Eze, a boyhood Arsenal supporter, chose his childhood club and subsequently rubbed salt into Tottenham’s wounds by scoring a magnificent hat-trick during Arsenal’s 4-1 derby demolition on November 23.
Semenyo has previously declared himself an Arsenal fan too, and when asked if joining them would be a dream come true, he suggested that it is the case.
“Yeah, any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) — that’s the aim,” Semenyo told The Athletic last year.
“I know that’s not going to come with a click of my fingers, it’s going to take some time. It’s going to take goals.
“It’s going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I’ve worked all my life for that and I’m just going to continue working hard. That’s my mentality.”
This emotional connection could make the Emirates Stadium approach significantly more tempting than alternatives.
Barclay also reports that Arsenal could make a move for Semenyo in January, so if Berta can source the funds for a swoop, this may be one to watch.