Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are running out of time to add to their squad for the remainder of the season but there is still time for the Gunners to get some business done
As we draw ever closer to Monday’s transfer deadline, Arsenal look to be leaving things very late when it comes to mid-season recruits.
Mikel Arteta’s side have benefited greatly from January arrivals in recent years, with Jorginho and Leandro Trossard among those to make an instant impact. This year, though, Arteta has yet to bring in a senior player to help with the run-in.
it’s not for want of trying, though, with Aston Villa knocking back a bid for Ollie Watkins. The England international could yet be the subject of renewed interest, though, and his future is one of the topics in today’s transfer round-up.
We’ve also got the latest on a done deal, though it’s an out rather than an in. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from around North London.
Man Utd complete Heaven deal
Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven has completed a mid-season move to Manchester United, who fought off reported interest from Barcelona. The centre-back has been an unused sub for the Gunners on a number of occasions, but comments from his new employers appear to hint at more action.
“We are delighted that Ayden has joined Manchester United.” United technical director Jason Wilcox said: “He is already an extremely talented defender who is ready to join our first-team squad.”
Teenage star Heaven has also thanked those who helped him break through at the Emirates Stadium before his move. “As a North London boy, I lived the dream of training and playing at Hale End and London Colney, as well as making my professional debut in the League Cup,” he said. “A big thank you too to Arsenal fans.”
Can Villa signing open door on Watkins?
Aston Villa are understood to have agreed a loan deal for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford. At the time, the club are thrashing out the final details of the switch, while England star Rashford is reported to have said goodbye to his Old Trafford colleagues.
Do Arsenal have hope over Ollie Watkins? Have your say in the comments section
Any hopes of Arsenal signing Villa frontman Ollie Watkins looked to have disappeared after Unai Emery’s side sold fellow striker Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. With Rashford now on his way to Villa, though, might there be an opening?
Watkins started for Villa at Wolves on Saturday, having scored and missed a penalty in the midweek Champions League victory over Celtic. However, after a quiet first 45 minutes, he didn’t reemerge for the second half.
Gunners could make late Tel move
Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel is another potential option for Arsenal, with reports on the continent suggesting the Gunners could make a late move. Tottenham and Manchester United have also been linked, with loan and permanent exits remaining possible, but Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund made it clear on Saturday that the Frenchman could also stay put.
“The current tendency is for Mathys Tel to stay,” Freund said, per Sky Sport Deutschland. “We are not in concrete negotiations with any club. If anything else happens, we will speak to him.”
Tel joined Bayern for £25million from Rennes when he was just 17, but he has found chances hard to come by under Vincent Kompany this season. He has featured in just one of Bayern’s last four league games, having been left out of the squad entirely for Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Holstein Kiel.
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