Arsenal send message to all ‘prospective buyers’ as approach for star is rejected

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Arsenal are sending a message to all potential buyers ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

Arsenal have already shut down one approach from a top-flight side for Hale End academy graduate Eddie Nketiah.

Despite it being said that Mikel Arteta would “listen to offers” for Nketiah, it now seems that the Gunners are reluctant to conduct any outgoing business at all this winter. 

As reported by the Daily Mail, Arsenal “are currently telling prospective buyers that they aren’t open for business, but there is a feeling among Premier League clubs that their stance is more posturing rather than a hard and fast rule.”

“However, the club have already knocked back at least one enquiry from a top-flight side ahead of the transfer window for Nketiah.”

It would make sense if sporting director Edu is trying to give the impression that the north London club are not under any pressure to make sales this January. If interested clubs knew that the Gunners were desperate to cash in on players and raise funds then they would be encouraged to try to take advantage of this with low-ball offers for Arsenal players.

However, it is in fact likely that Arsenal are planning to make at least one sale, if they can find a buyer willing to meet their valuation of the player. If that outgoing star turns out to be Nketiah or not remains to be seen. 

What do Arsenal need to do in January?

Arsenal spent heavily in the recent summer transfer window. On top of a club-record £105 million deal to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium from West Ham United, they also invested heavily in Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber. On top of that, the Gunners are expected to shell out a further £27 million to convert David Raya’s loan move into a permanent switch.

As such, the club only have a limited budget at their disposal heading into January, and work needs doing on the squad. Arsenal have been linked with a number of midfielders, with Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz thought to be Arteta’s “dream” target.

There have also been rumours tying Arsenal to several strikers. If they were to sanction Nketiah’s departure, it would make sense if another goalscorer were on his way into the club.

Injuries that the back, though, with Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu both currently out of action, have left Arsenal dangerously light on defensive options. As such, bringing in some additional defensive depth has to be the priority this January. 

Certainly, after the loss of William Saliba to injury last season contributed to the club’s title challenge falling apart late on, it is vital that the same mistake is not repeated and Arteta has enough quality defenders at his disposal to cope with the gruelling schedule ahead.