Arsenal transfer news live - Zubimendi deal 'very close', Benzema contact made

ICYMI - Gunners urged to sign Vlahovic

Ex-Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre believes Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic would be an "excellent" addition for the Gunners, but fears a January transfer is "not realistic".

"I don’t think they can afford him financially," Silvestre told bettingexpert.com. "Based on ability and technically he’s excellent. We would have to deal with Juventus which isn’t easy. Would he be a good buy? Yes. 100%. I don’t think it will happen unless they can get him on loan.

"We have two weeks left of the window. It’s more of a summer signing because Juventus are fighting for the title and it wouldn't be smart to jeopardise their chances. It will be a close fight with Inter for the title and they want to maintain that so it’s not realistic this winter."

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Kiwior admits he would "definitely like to play more" amid AC Milan transfer interest

Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is determined to play more first-team football as rumours of an exit continue to circulate.

Kiwior told Super Express: "I’m glad that I saw how such a large club works. And that I get another chance from the coach (Arteta). Now I want to see more of these performances. I would definitely like to play more, but I don’t feel like I lack experience."

The Poland international did not shy away from addressing the speculation linking him with a move away and actually admitted he's flattered by the rumours. "It’s definitely nice and I’m glad there’s interest in me," Kiwior added. "But I focus on what is now. Besides, there have been no talks with me yet."

Gunners one of several teams tracking Wilson

Arsenal are one several Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, according to Evening Standard.

He was linked with a switch to Atletico Madrid and the Magpies accept that they may need to sell some of their assets to remain financially compliant.

Man United and Chelsea are among the other clubs considering a move for Wilson.

Mikel Arteta told what could derail title bid - "They'd struggle to replace him"

Onana deal could materialise if sale agreed

Arsenal could yet make a move Amadou Onana this month, according to reports.

The Everton midfielder has now become a key target for Mikel Arteta, albeit FFP issues are hampering their recruitment after heavy spending in the summer.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims that a potential sale could yet change the landscape and open the door for a move to Onana.

Williamson speaks out on return

Leah Williamson has paid tribute to her family and friends after making her long-awaited comeback from a serious knee injury.

Williamson, 26, came off the bench during Arsenal's 6-0 win at Reading in the Continental Cup on Wednesday night. It was the England captain's first appearance for the Gunners since suffering an anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury nine months ago, which ruled her out of last year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Williamson required surgery to fix her damaged ACL and was forced to watch England's run to the final, which they lost 1-0 to Spain, on the sidelines. Yet the Arsenal defender is now fit again and has posted an emotional message on Instagram after her comeback.

"We never know what is around the corner, so enjoy the MOMENTS," wrote Williamson. "Pay into your friendships and your family, without them it gets pretty grim."

Some movement off the pitch

We’re pleased to announce our Director of Football Operations, Richard Garlick, will take the role of Arsenal’s Managing Director in summer 2024.

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2024

Cedric's situation

Cedric has entered the final six months of his contract at the Emirates and football.london understands that Cedric is available to leave during the January transfer window.

The Gunners though would prefer to receive a fee for the full-back, who finds himself behind Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the pecking order, rather than let him go for nothing, albeit that would get him off their wage bill.

Tierney injured in Spain

Kieran Tierney has suffered an injury blow whilst out on loan at Real Sociedad. The versatile defender went down in a Copa del Rey clash.

"We're going to wait for the relevant tests, but it's clear with Kieran that it's a rupture in the hamstring," Imanol Alguacil said.

"It's a shame, because we have left back Aihen Munoz out too and it's important to double up in positions because of the amount of games we're going to have to play. But I've never made excuses and I'm not going to start now."

Patino turning to Saka for advice

Charlie Patino is looking to Bukayo Saka, another Arsenal academy graduate for advice in making it in the first-team.

He said: "On the pitch, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, and even Bukayo Saka - he was still young, but I still went up to him because he followed the pathway that I ultimately want to follow. It was good for me to go and speak to him and get some information from him.

Everyone was helpful when I was training with them, and when I did something nice, they were really encouraging but if I messed up, they just said ‘don't worry, get on with it - forget about it and go again’. I think that time with the first team was beneficial.”

Scouts watch Simons

Arsenal were among a host of top European teams who sent scouts to Xavi Simons in action for RB Leipzig at the weekend when they face Bayer Leverkusen, according to HITC.

Simons was on target as Leipzig lost 3-2 and Arsenal are understood to be long-term admirers of the Dutchman. He is under contract to Paris Saint-Germain, who sold him to PSV Eindhoven in 2022 before re-signing him last summer and sending him out on loan to Leipzig.

The report adds that Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United also sent scouts to watch Simons last weekend, while Simons' Leipzig temmate Lois Openda and Leverkusen stars Exequiel Palacios and Jeremie Frimpong was also on Arsenal's radar.

Tavares set to permanent exit

According to L'Equipe, Nuno Tavares could be set for a permanent move to Marseille this month after a deal to sign Quentin Merlin from Nantes stalled.

Tavares spent last season on loan at Marseille and is now at Nottingham Forest, where he has only made four starts. The player is said to be keen on the move, but things are complicated by the fact that Arsenal do not have the option to recall him from Forest.

However, Forest are in talks to sign both Gio Reyna and Carlos Borges on loan from Borussia Dortmund and Ajax respectively and may send Tavares back to Arsenal to make room for them as Premier League rules limit the amount of loan players teams can have.

Read the full story here

Gunners urged to sign Vlahovic

Ex-Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre believes Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic would be an "excellent" addition for the Gunners, but fears a January transfer is "not realistic".

"I don’t think they can afford him financially," Silvestre told bettingexpert.com. "Based on ability and technically he’s excellent. We would have to deal with Juventus which isn’t easy. Would he be a good buy? Yes. 100%. I don’t think it will happen unless they can get him on loan.

"We have two weeks left of the window. It’s more of a summer signing because Juventus are fighting for the title and it wouldn't be smart to jeopardise their chances. It will be a close fight with Inter for the title and they want to maintain that so it’s not realistic this winter."

Read the full story here

Morning

We're back to bring you all the latest from the Emirates.

Stay tuned!

That's all for tonight

Thanks for joining us today on the Arsenal transfer news live blog. Be sure to check back here in the morning where we'll continue to bring you all the latest gossip about the Gunners' January business.

Until then!

Gunners learn Pedro Neto price tag

If Mikel Arteta really is as keen to sign Pedro Neto as reports claim, then Arsenal are going to have to pay a premium to get his man.

The Wolves forward is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes. And he has hinted to Portuguese outlet Record that it may take a nine-figure sum to tempt his client's current employers to allow him to leave.

He said: "Pedro Neto had played five minutes at Braga and left for Lazio because the president trusted what we told him. In the meantime, he got back what he had paid.

"At the time Pedro Neto was about to go to Benfica, but he went to Wolverhampton. And he wasn't sold for more than 100 million euros (£86m) because he got injured."

Wolves could charge a premium to anyone who wants to buy Pedro Neto (Getty Images)

Scrap for Sunderland stopper?

Arsenal are one of several top Premier League clubs said to have been put on red alert regarding the future of Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

The Mackems' shot-stopper has a burgeoning reputation thanks to his performances for his boyhood club. And HITC reports the Black Cats may choose to cash in this summer with interest said to be high.

THe Gunners have been named as one of the clubs said to be keen, along with Liverpool and Manchester City. But, with Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya already strong options between the sticks for Mikel Arteta - assuming the latter signs permanently - it's hard to see why Patterson would be needed.

City also have both Ederson and Steffan Ortega who are strong options in the goalkeeper department. But Liverpool may need to bring in someone like Patterson in the summer if Caoimhin Kelleher decides he's had enough of playing second-fiddle to Alisson.

Sunderland 'keeper Patterson is said to be attracting Premier League interest (Getty Images)

Chelsea more keen on Benzema

Earlier today, reports emerged linking Arsenal with a move for Karim Benzema who is currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ittihad.

But, speaking to the Ranks FC podcast, Dean Jones stated his belief that Chelsea have a lot more interest in the French striker than their rivals in north London.

It seems Benzema himself, though, may not be interested in a move at all. He offered a bit of a shirty response when asked about reports that he is unsettled in Saudi Arabia, snapping: "It's completely false! The French media don't know what to invent any more. The bigger the better."

Don't hold your breath waiting for Benzema to move anywhere this month, then.

Reports link Karim Benzema with a move back to Europe (AFP via Getty Images)

It's a no-no, Onana

Given his status as one of the stand-out players at Everton since he joined, it's no surprise to see midfield powerhouse Amadou Onana being linked with top Premier League clubs.

Earlier this month TalkSPORT linked the big Belgian international with a potential switch to the Gunners. However, it has now been claimed that there are at least two other midfield options higher up than him on Mikel Arteta's shortlist.

Douglas Luiz is one, having been linked with a move to the Emirates for what feels like his entire Aston Villa career. And the other is Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi who has recently emerged as an exciting target.

Speaking to The Football Terrace, Ben Jacobs said: "If you were to rank Arsenal's top two midfield targets even above the links with Onana, it would be Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz. I think those would be the two if they had carte blanche that they would move for."

Amadou Onana has been linked to a move to Arsenal (Emma Simpson)

Gunners loanee picks up injury

Tyreece John-Jules only extended his loan spell with Derby County just a few days ago.

But he faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury away at Reading. The 22-year-old came on as a substitute but was forced off soon after. The Rams' official website confirmed the injury, but did not say how severe it may be.

Regardless, it will be a blow to the Gunners loanee who has already spent two months on the sidelines with injury issues this season. He is set to stay with Derby for the rest of the season after his loan deal was extended last week.

Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules faces a spell on the sidelines (Getty Images)

Neto preferred over Simons

Arsenal have been linked with Xavi Simons in recent days, with the Dutch starlet shining in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, on loan from French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

But FootballTransfers claims he is not the Gunners' top target for a new attacker. Instead, Wolves' Pedro Neto is reported to still be their preferred choice. The Portuguese has one goal and eight assists in 12 Premier League games so far this season.

Convincing Wolves to part ways with their best attacker, though, will not be easy. And Arsenal are also likely to face competition from Manchester City with Pep Guardiola said to also be an admirer of the 23-year-old.

Wolves winger Pedro Neto is being courted again by Arsenal (Getty Images)

Okonkwo to stick with Rob and Ryan

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been on loan at Wrexham since last September and has been a regular between the sticks for the League Two promotion hopefuls.

There was a recall clause in his contract which would have allowed the Gunners to bring him back this month. But The Leader reports the deadline by which that would have needed to be triggered has now passed, meaning the 22-year-old is set to stay at the Racecourse until the end of the season.

"I am here to stay and it's a really good feeling," he said. "Now we just push on and see how we can do until the end of the season."

Kiwior drops hint on Arsenal future

Jakub Kiwior is one player that has been heavily linked with an exit, and while his agent said he would not be moving, the player himself wasn't as definitive.

Speaking to Super Express, he said: “I would definitely like to play more, but I don’t feel like I lack experience. It’s definitely nice and I’m glad there’s interest in me. But I focus on what is now.

“Besides, there have been no talks with me yet.”

Intriguing....

Jakub Kiwior has been linked with a move to AC Milan (Getty Images)

Benzema: Arsenal 'make contact' for Al-Ittihad striker

Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Karim Benzema over a potential transfer.

That's according to Marca, who claim Manchester United and Lyon have also touched base with the striker's camp.

It's worth nothing, though, that Benzema appeared to imply that moving clubs was not on his agenda in January earlier today.

(Getty Images)

Jorginho rebuffs Trabzonspor interest

Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has snubbed transfer interest from Trabzonspor, according to reports in Turkey.

The Italy international, who joined the Gunners from Chelsea last January, was linked with a move in the summer but is still at the Emirates.

Sports Digitale claim that he was approached about a move by Trabzonspor but he had no interest in discussing a move with the Turkish outfit.

(Getty Images)

ICYMI: Benzema rules out move

Karim Benzema has denied reports claiming he has submitted a transfer request.

The Al-Ittihad striker, 36, has been linked with a host of clubs in recent weeks including Arsenal and Manchester United.

Reports in France touting Benzema with a return to Lyon have also gathered pace - but he has emphatically shot those rumours down.

Per L'Equipe, Benzema said: "It's completely false! The French media don't know what to invent any more. The bigger the better."

Soares 'free to leave' Arsenal in January

Football.london claim that Cedric Soares is free to leave Arsenal this month.

The former Southampton defender is surplus to requirements at the Emirates and Mikel Arteta will not stand in his way if a deal can be struck this month.

(Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Arsenal transfer recap

So, let's recap the day's headlines so far:

• Karim Benzema has ruled out a transfer amid links to Arsenal.
• Man Utd have reportedly held talks with Joshua Zirkzee's camp
• Mikel Arteta is offloand Nuno Tavares for good - he's keen on a return to Marseille, who also want him back after a productive loan spell last year.
• Reports in Spain are claiming a deal for Arsenal to sign long-term target Martin Zubimendi is 'very close'

Karim Benzema (Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport)

Zubimendi deal 'very close'

Arsenal are 'very close' to agreeing a deal for Martin Zubimendi, according to reports in Spain.

The Real Sociedad playmaker has been a long-term target for the Gunners and was linked with a switch to the Emirates back in the summer.

Barcelona are also interested in the 24-year-old.

(Ricardo Larreina/REX/Shutterstock)

Parlour tells Arteta to let Smith Rowe go

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Emile Smith Rowe should be allowed to leave the club.

The Hale End graduate has hardly played this season but Mikel Arteta has stressed that he wants to keep Smith Rowe around.

Parlour, though, believes Smith Rowe needs to be allowed to move on with his career.

He said: “Smith Rowe might come to a stage in his career, and say, 'look I need to play. I need to play on a regular basis now. I’m getting that little bit older. I’m going to regret it if I don’t play on a regular basis.'

"I think Mikel Arteta has been there as a footballer himself. If he doesn't stand in his way, then Arsenal will try and do a deal and get the most money they can for him.”

(Getty Images)

Tavares wants Marseille return

Nuno Tavares is keen on making a return to Marseille, per RMC Sport.

The Arsenal full-back, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, spent last year in Ligue 1 with the French giants.

Tavares is surplus to requirements at the Emirates and Mikel Arteta is open to letting him leave on a permanent basis this month - and Marseille are rumoured to be weighing up a swoop.