11 January 2023 , 02:00
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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side may have the small matter of a North London derby to look forward to, but that doesn't mean there isn't also transfer business to sort.
It looks almost certain that the Gunners have missed out on one of their priority targets in Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix. The 23-year-old was the subject of interest from a number of sides, but Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea were seemingly the only side willing to pay the hefty loan fee of €11million (£9.68m).
In turn, Arteta will have to continue to prowl the market to find an alternative. The Arsenal fanbase are in agreement that if the Gunners are to end their 19-year wait for a Premier Leauge title, further additions are essential before the end of the month.
With that in mind, Mirror Football has identified some of the main Arsenal-related transfer talk currently sending the rumour mill into overdrive.
Arsenal are still pursuing Mykhaylo Mudryk (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Mudryk be a successful signing for Arsenal? Comment below
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Mudryk 'breakthrough' made
Another day, another update on Arsenal's pursuit of Shakhtar Donestk star Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Gunners reportedly still confident a deal can be agreed in the coming weeks.
Arsenal have already seen one bid rejected, with a second proposed but it is thought Shakhtar also turned that one down as it still fell significantly short of the £88m they are holding out for. Multiple reports have suggested that personal terms were agreed some time ago, but the two clubs were still some way off finding a fee that works for both parties.
Foot Mercato claim that Arsenal have made a breakthrough and are now closer than ever to finding some middle ground with Shakhtar, but with Mudryk jetting off to Turkey with the rest of his team-mates for a winter training camp it could still be a while before he is unveiled as a Gunners player.
Randal Kolo Muani saw his stock rise after an impressive World Cup with FranceGunners warned off transfer
Arsenal are one of many clubs that are rumoured to have been told to not even try to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani. That's because the Bundesliga side have insisted he is unavailable for any price.
Sporting director Markus Krosche was asked by Sky Sports whether Frankfurt would be willing to part ways with the French international for £88m (€100m), to which he replied: "No! We have made it clear that we do not want to sell any top performers.
"There is no reason for that. It will stay that way. We are a good place for young players to develop. That has changed our perception both nationally and internationally."
Arsenal have reportedly contacted Real Madrid regarding Eden Hazard (Getty Images)Arsenal contact Real Madrid over shock switch
In what would surely be the most surprising transfer seen this window, French outlet MediaFoot claim Arsenal are eyeing a move for Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard.
The report states how the Gunners are alleged to have reached out to the Spanish giants over the prospect of landing Hazard's signature on a permanent basis.
It is important to note that the report alleges that Hazard is only being a viewed as a potential avenue to explore if Arsenal fail to secure Shakhtar star Mudryk.
However, even if Arteta can't force Shakhtar into letting the 22-year-old go, signing a player 10 years his senior who has looked significantly past his best since moving to Spain would certainly be a divisive move among supporters to say the least.
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