19 January 2024 , 14:02
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Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall refuted reports linking midfielder Lia Walti with a move to Real Madrid while adding that much of the Gunners' incoming business in the window looks completed.
Walti, 30, had been the subject of a potential move away from north London either this month or in the summer. The Swiss midfielder signed a new contract last summer and has been an integral cog in the Gunners' midfield since joining in 2018.
During her time with the club, she has made 129 appearances and scored two goals, while helping her side to the Women's Super League title in her first season with the club and the FA Women's League Cup last season.
However, reports suggested that Walti was keen for a new challenge in the coming year as Arsenal look to incorporate a more youthful midfield, with the likes of Victoria Pelova, 24, Kyra Cooney-Cross, 21, and Kathrine Kuhl all viewed as the next generation behind Walti and 34-year-old Kim Little.
However, Eidevall shot down rumours surrounding Walti's future at the club. "Yes (she is staying). I don’t have any other idea in my head and I don’t think she does either," he said.
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He added: "I think that is the problem with rumours, when there is not a direct, reliable source, you can’t really do much with them. The Lia Walti potentially leaving rumour definitely falls into the category of being with no truth whatsoever and she is a player we are very happy with.
"I think she is very happy at the club as well. I understand that it is hard for supporters when you read things like that to understand if there is truth in it, this one definitely does not."
Lia Walti of Arsenal Women (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Any further business in the January transfer window looks unlikely to be in the guise of incomings for Arsenal. A possible move for Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, whom Arsenal lodged a world-record bid for in the summer, had been mooted leading up to this month's window.
However, the prospect has since fizzled since United's rebuffing of the offer, with Paris Saint-Germain now leading the race for the England No 1's signature.
Earps' contract with United will expire in the summer. United boss Marc Skinner confirmed on Friday that conversations are ongoing to retain the FIFA Best Goalkeeper at the club, stating: "There are factors Mary needs to achieve in her contract & the club are negotiating to do that."
And any lingering links have effectively been dashed after Arsenal's current No 1 Manuela Zinsberger, 28, signed a new contract earlier today. The Austrian international has made 113 appearances for Arsenal and kept 49 clean sheets since her arrival ahead of the 2019/20 season.
Mary Earps looks likely to depart Man Utd in the summer upon the expiry of her contract (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)On Zinsberger's new deal, Eidevall said: “Manu is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been a consistently high performer in this team throughout my time here.
"She deserves this new contract and I know she shares the ambitions we have here. We want to compete for every title we can and Manu will play a big role in us achieving that.”
While the Gunners' incoming business looks effectively complete, a potential loan move for Brazilian winger Gio remains on the cards, whom Eidevall confirmed "still needs minutes".
"We have a good balance in the squad and a player like Leah Williamson returning from injury and Laura Wienrouither as well coming here in the spring that puts us in a good situation," Eidevall added.
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Arsenal return to WSL action this weekend as they host Everton. The Gunners currently sit third in the league table three points off leaders Chelsea after missing out on a place at the top following their 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in December.