Arsenal have been linked with a number of potential new signings in the January transfer window, but the Gunners are yet to bring in any new faces to strengthen their squad
Mikel Arteta assesses Arsenal’s defeat against Newcastle
Arsenal have yet to make any major moves in the January transfer window so far.
The Gunners currently sit second in the Premier League, six points behind top of the table Liverpool, and they also remain in contention in the Champions League, FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
However, they did lose the first leg of their semi-final Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned Eddie Howe’s side a 2-0 win. Arsenal will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the latest news and transfer rumours around the Emirates.
Rosicky in sporting director frame
Tomas Rosicky has emerged as a contender to succeed Edu as Arsenal’s sporting director.
Edu stood down from the role last season and Rosicky, who spent ten years at Arsenal as a player and has worked as Sparta Prague’s sporting director since 2018, is among three contenders to become the club’s new sporting director according to the Guardian.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Campos and Brentford’s director of football Phil Giles are also in the frame and Mirror Football understands that there is no leading candidate for the role at this stage.
Mbeumo shortlisted
According to Sky Sports Germany, Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has been shortlisted by Arsenal ‘for a potential summer transfer’.
Arsenal are looking to strengthen their forward line and a January swoop had been mooted, particularly after Bukayo Saka was sidelined with a hamstring injury. However, it appears the Gunners are now content to wait until next summer instead.
Mbeumo is under contract at Brentford until 2026 and has scored 13 Premier League goals so far this season, a return that has only been topped by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Goalkeeper interest
Arsenal remain interested in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, having seen a €20million (£16.6m) bid rejected last summer.
According to Spanish outlet AS, the Gunners are expected to return with another offer for the 23-year-old next summer. Garcia has a €30m (£25.4m) release clause in his contract and Espanyol’s sporting director Fran Garagarza has hinted the club are open to selling him.
“Joan is an asset and that he is necessary to achieve the objective because he acts in a very specific position,” Garagarza said. “We could not weaken there, we couldn’t. The interest in him is not going to stop. The time to sell Joan may be at another time.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
