The January transfer window is around the corner, so the Arsenal Insider writers have predicted how Mikel Arteta will see the market with Aaron Ramsdale’s future unclear.
Several Gunners stars potentially face uncertain futures in north London ahead of the winter sales. Ramsdale saw his career with Arsenal thrown into doubt following the arrival of David Raya on loan from Brentford in August. But he is not alone in having interest from rival sides.
Incomings are also on the cards at Emirates Stadium ahead of the January window as Arteta targets further depth. The Arsenal coach is open to adding to his ranks around the field with the Gunners targeting the Premier League title, plus the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Arsenal Insider predicts the Gunners’ January transfer window
Reports ever since the 2023/24 season started have linked Arsenal with the January transfer of Brentford striker Ivan Toney. Arteta has even branded the 27-year-old as his top attacking target for the mid-season sales. The £60m-valued star is even keen to make a move, as well.
But Arteta’s attention is also on improving Arsenal’s midfield in the January transfer window. Reports suggest the Gunners boss dreams of signing Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. But their £110m valuation tempts Arsenal to move on to Fulham’s £50m-rated Joao Palhinha instead.
New defenders are also on Arteta’s shopping list, with reports of interest in Sporting Lisbon ace Goncalo Inacio sealing a transfer to Arsenal. But the Gunners must pay the 22-year-old’s €60m (£51.5m) release clause if they are to sign the centre-back in the mid-season window.
So, plenty of activity is possible in north London over January as Arsenal target the transfers Arteta believes will make them champions rather than just title contenders. And with that in mind, here is how the Arsenal Insider writers predict their January transfer plans to unfold…
Kyle Archer
Kyle Archer predicts that Arsenal still need to find the missing pieces of their puzzle but with a strict budget if they are to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title in 23/24.
January 2023 showed Arsenal and Arteta the benefits of suitable mid-season transfers with Jorginho and Leandro Trossard. Both moved to Emirates Stadium in the middle of last term and supported their Premier League title hopes. And it should be a similar January in 2024.
Arteta is seemingly not confident that Arsenal have a squad capable of beating Manchester City to the title. So, he will surely push the club’s hierarchy to roll the dice again to find the missing pieces of their puzzle. But they will have to tackle the window with a strict budget.
Arsenal could only get David Raya on loan from Brentford with an option to buy to manage FFP. So, it is unlikely that Arteta can move for targets like Victor Osimhen as Sky Italia report SSC Napoli expect to include a €130-140m (£112-120m) release clause in his new contract.
Reports claim that Osimhen is a firm target for Arsenal, despite his ongoing discussions with Napoli for a new contract. But given the Gunners’ limited budget, Arteta will have to put any swoop on hold barring a mid-season fire sale if he wants to sign a new midfielder in January.
Yet even selling the likes of Thomas Partey, Jakub Kiwior and Eddie Nketiah is unlikely to gift Arteta a big enough budget. So, he will surely have to wait until the summer when Arsenal’s budget will be in a stronger state to target transfers for players like Osimhen and Ivan Toney.
Lucas Arnold
Lucas Arnold predicts a disappointing January transfer window for Arsenal fans predicting a tranquil mid-season market unless they suffer a big injury.
As disappointing as it may be for some fans, I think a quiet January would be best for Mikel Arteta. The current squad looks well-prepared for the title race and any cup competitions.
Arsenal’s summer business was so well planned and executed, and I’d much rather see the same again this year. Arteta should only act in January if the club receives a ludicrous offer for a player like Eddie Nketiah or someone suffers a big injury.
Will Jones
Will Jones thinks Arsenal will bide their time in the January transfer window to target their top targets in the summer unless Mikel Arteta can target valuable depth on the cheap.
I doubt Arsenal will be as busy in the upcoming January transfer window as many fans believe they probably ought to be. I also think that the reality of this window is unlikely to align with Mikel Arteta and Edu’s ideal plans for it.
Were it not for the injuries to Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu, a new striker or central midfield addition may well have been higher up on the agenda. As things stand, I only expect to see one Jakub Kiwior-level signing made to add some much-needed strength in depth at the back.
In terms of outgoings, there has been plenty of speculation about the future of Aaron Ramsdale. His exit would necessitate a direct replacement being sourced in January, though, as Karl Hein is not ready to step up as David Raya’s back-up option. I expect Ramsdale to remain in north London until the end of the campaign.
Rahul Lakhani
According to Rahul Lakhani, Arsenal will prioritise the transfer of a new defender in January so that Mikel Arteta avoids a repeat of their 2022/23 collapse after William Saliba’s injury.
The priority for Mikel Arteta should be a defender, given the shortage of options at the back following injuries to Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu. He will be keen to avoid a repeat of last season, where injuries to William Saliba and Tomiyasu derailed Arsenal’s title hopes.
Although a midfielder may have been seen as a priority before, Kai Havertz coming into form, as well as the return of Emile Smith Rowe, could negate the need for another ‘No8’. But if the injured Thomas Partey was to leave the club, he would need replacing.
Given the heavy spending in the summer window, coupled with several pay rises being handed out in the form of new long-term contracts, it would be a surprise to see Arsenal spend heavily in the winter window. But at least one addition to the back line for squad depth looks likely.
Arsenal seemingly have an interest in Victor Osimhen for a summer deal and if this is the case, then another centre-forward is not necessary in January.
Arsenal have enough numbers upfront with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz that an addition such as Dominic Solanke or Ivan Toney may not raise the overall quality of the team. And a big-money move for a striker now would prevent a future move for the Napoli star.
Shamanth Jayaram
Shamanth Jayaram says Mikel Arteta will target the transfer of a new defender after a recent admission about his depth, while Arsenal look to retain their players on the fringes.
Arteta has already admitted “we are very short at the back,” after deploying Declan Rice as a centre-back against PSV Eindhoven in our final Champions League group stage game.
That suggests Arsenal’s priority in the winter window, if there is one, will be a new defender. And after what happened to us following William Saliba’s injury in the business end of last season, it would be wise to bring in a versatile backup.
As for outgoings, I can’t see Arsenal letting anybody leave. The likes of Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah could all attract interest. But it makes little sense to sanction a sale unless a crazy offer arrives.
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