The summer window may have closed but we at Football FanCast are already looking forward to the January spending spree.
And it appears that Arsenal, despite just coming to the end of the most lucrative window in the club’s history, are also looking forward to the market reopening in 2015.
Indeed, the Gunners took a step towards Premier League title contention with the signings of Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers, David Ospina, Mathieu Debuchy and Danny Welbeck, but further recruitment is needed if the north London side are to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City at the league’s summit.
Subsequently, the tabloids are already filled with rumours of potential January acquisitions at the Emirates, so being the lovely bunch we are, we’ve listed FIVE of them
So without further ado, here’s the FIVE January deals already being eyed by Arsenal.
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WILLIAM CARVALHO
Arsenal’s midfield has lacked top level physicality ever since Alex Song departed for Barcelona in summer 2012.
This is no great secret – but the good news for Gunners fans is that Arsene Wenger appears to be finally coming to the same conclusion, as he revealed in an interview with beIN SPORT yesterday afternoon:
And it’s believed the physical midfielder in question could be Sporting Lisbon hotshot William Carvalho, who was linked with an Emirates move throughout the summer and again by the Independent after the transfer window had closed:
The 22 year-old has emerged as one of European football’s hottest youngsters after breaking through to the Sporting first team last season, eventually muscling his way into Portugal’s World Cup squad. Here’s his stats from Brazil 2014:
Carvalho measures in at 6 foot 2, comes with an imposing physique and is famed for his simple-yet-effective style. Here’s a look at the midfielder in action:
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The holding midfielder comes with a £35million release clause, which is almost certainly too rich for Wenger’s blood. But the Portugal international rejected new terms at Estadio Jose Alvalade earlier this month, and resultantly, the Metro believe the Primeira Liga could eventually settle at £24million.
ADRIEN RABIOT
Another, significantly cheaper, holding midfield option known to be on Arsenal’s radar (making it significantly more likely than a bank-breaking bid for William Carvalho) is PSG prodigy Adrien Rabiot:
The 19 year-old, who once spent a season at Manchester City’s academy, is highly-rated in the French capital and amassed 34 appearances in all competitions last season, producing three goals. Here’s a look at his stats from Ligue 1:
And a gander of Rabiot in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/88HpUceQvFo
But the floppy-haired playmaker has continually rejected contract extensions at PSG, citing a lack of assurances over his first team role.
And with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a January departure is looking increasingly likely – PSG want at least a small return for bringing the teenager to the attention of the European elite.
That includes Arsenal, but in truth, there’s a host of clubs lining up for the France U21’s signature:
PEDRO
Arsenal have already raided Barcelona once this summer with their £35million capture of Alexis Sanchez, but the north London club are reportedly prepared to follow up in January by swooping for former Catalans team-mate Pedro:
As the headline suggests, the two-time Champions League winner remains disillusioned at the Nou Camp after being continually linked with Manchester United and Liverpool throughout last season. He’s yet to play a full ninety minutes under new manager Luis Enrique and is concerned that he’ll be forced into a bit-part role when Luis Suarez returns from his four-month suspension.
The 27 year-old winger-forward has been part of the Nou Camp tapestry for some time; he’s won eight major honours with Barca since his 2008 debut and in that time has amassed 102 goals in just over 300 appearances. Pedro was also part of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, further highlighting his pedigree.
Here’s a look at the Roja star’s Top Ten goals:
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A tenacious forward with fantastic stamina and a potent eye for goal, Pedro would certainly be an impressive addition to Arsenal’s forward line.
But Liverpool remain equally keen after coming close to signing the Spaniard in the summer and will be hell-bent on adding Champions League quality to their squad.
PACO ALCACER
Arsenal may have splashed out £16million on Danny Welbeck in the final hours of summer deadline day but their forward line still lacks potency and depth, following an injury to Olivier Giroud that will see him sidelined until the new year at the earliest.
And according to The Express and The Metro, the Gunners are planning to remedy their striking woes with a January swoop for Valencia starlet Paco Alcacer:
The 21 year-old’s stock has continually soared since muscling his way into Los Che’s first team last season, with Vincente del Bosque using the international break to hand him his competitive debut as a Spain senior.
Indeed, Alcacer has been nothing short of potent over the last twelve months, as shown below:
Most appealingly, the 5 foot 11 striker’s contract currently includes a £15million release clause, leading one Spanish publication to dub him ‘the bargain of Europe’.
But Chelsea have also been strongly linked by the tabloids, whilst The Express claim Valencia are planning a pay-rise that will see Alcacer’s buy-out fee jump up to around £25million.
If Arsenal can convince the Spaniard to delay until January however, they could unearth a real transfer gem. Here’s a look at Alcacer in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RCKK3deKD2w?rel=0
WINSTON REID
After selling Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona in the summer and with Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs both sidelined through injury, Arsenal are a few bodies short in defence.
Thus, by the time the winter window arrives, Arsene Wenger could feel compelled to revive his interest in an old target – West Ham centre-back Winston Reid, who was linked with an Emirates switch last January and on summer deadline day:
The 26 year-old has shown remarkable consistency since the East Londoners returned to the Premier League in 2012, claiming the Hammer of the Year award the twelve months later. Here’s a look at the 6 foot 3 defender in action:
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He was in prominent form at the start of last season before the New Zealand skipper was sidelined with an ankle injury, which prevented Arsenal’s reported interest from materialising into an official offer. Here’s his stats from the campaign:
By no great coincidence, West Ham’s league form plummeted in his absence, and although Reid may be no world beater, he’s a reliable, incredibly athletic centre-back who would fit the natural hierarchy of Arsenal’s squad.
Furthermore, Reid’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal is looking increasingly unlikely, with negotiations yet to get under way. That could see him arrive at the Emirates for a nominal fee.
