Is Arsenal on course for another record purchase?

This January transfer window in the Premier League is very important for Arsenal. The Gunners are hot candidates to win the league title and further strengthening could help them end the wait for the nineteenth time.

Although this year’s Arsenal lineup is a fairly fine-tuned unit, there are still positions that lack healthy competition or adequate replacements in case of injuries. After years, Arsenal have managed to sort out a leaky defence. After the World Cup in Qatar, where Gabriel Jesus was injured, there is at least one quality striker missing to back up Martinelli, Nketiah and Sako.

The midfield line would also need a suitable addition, as Partey is injury prone and the team lacks an adequate substitute as Lokonga is not yet at a sufficient level. Elneny also fills the role of a substitute, who usually comes in when the game is decided to reinforce the defensive-minded play.

Mykhailo Mudryk is the most frequently mentioned name. The young Shakhtar Donetsk starlet is considered a great talent and has made no secret of his desire to move to Arsenal. However, Shakhtar duly consider their talent and there have been several talks about 85 to 100 million euros immediately in connection with the transfer.

Arsenal’s first offer of €40 million immediately and €20 million in bonuses was to be rejected and Arsenal were to send an improved offer. Whether the clubs will agree remains to be seen.

Another candidate for a very expensive transfer is Jude Bellingahm. This player is excelling at club level at Borussia Dortmund and also showed his worth at the World Cup in Qatar. Sums in excess of £120 million have also been dropped in relation to this player. Arsenal were said to be interested, but no official offer has been made yet.

Arsenal are also believed to be interested in the services of Serbian cannonballer Dusan Vlahovic. But the stiff competition is Chelsea, who are also interested in the young player. Vlahovic has been linked with Arsenal several times in the past.

Another player often linked with Arsenal is Leicester’s Youri Tielemans. This player was supposed to be in the Canaries’ sights several times, but the transfer always fell through. Tielemans is out of contract in the summer and does not want to sign a new one with Leicester. The transfer fee could reportedly only be around £20 million.

Atlético Madrid’s João Felix is also often mentioned in connection with the Canaries. Arsenal would be interested in a six-month loan deal, but Atlético are reportedly asking up to £21 million for him, which is too high. Therefore, the clubs have not yet reached an agreement and, unless Atlético are disappointed, they won’t.

Arsenal’s big-buy rumours have been fuelled by the fact that Stan Kroenke has secured a special loan of £70m for Arsenal. Fans are likely to be very disappointed though, as these funds are not intended to finance transfers, but serve as a financial reserve in case of complications such as those during the coronavirus pandemic.

Whether the previous transfer record of £72m for Pepé will fall remains to be seen and, in the case of the Bellingham purchase, it would also be very likely. Rather than breaking records, Arsenal should focus on the value for money invested, as has been the case so far.

The squad is built largely on young talent and players from their own academy. In the transfers so far, every pound invested has paid off and hopefully that will continue.

Source: Dailymail, Facebook, Football.london, Mirror, The Sun