The importance of Arsenal’s January transfer window is growing by the day, as Mikel Arteta continues to have to make do and mend with a depleted squad.
The Gunners have suffered from persistent injury and suspension issues this season, and have paid the price, as they currently sit six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Speaking in his press conference, Arteta revealed that Arsenal had just eight players in training on Monday morning.
Thus, the need to dip into the market and add depth to the Spaniard’s ranks is vitally important, and Arsenal have subsequently begun to be linked to a number of players.
Nico Williams is said to be open to a move to the Premier League, and continues to be a name associated with the North London club, but Arteta will need every domino to fall into place in order to enact such a deal.
Monaco hesitant to pay £16.6m for former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth
January is notoriously a difficult market to operate in financially, and thus any additional economic gain Arsenal can make could lend itself to spending on an incoming player.
While few current Arsenal first team members are unlikely to leave N5 this month, the Gunners could profit from one of their former players making a move.
Arsenal included a significant sell-on clause in Mika Biereth’s move to Sturm Graz last summer, and the striker is now seemingly on the cusp of completing a major switch to Monaco.
However, French outlet FootMercato report that the Ligue 1 side are hesitant to meet Sturm Graz’s €20 million (£16.6 million) asking price for the prolific number nine.
Ex-Arsenal striker and now Monaco forward Folarin Balogun is out for several months with a shoulder injury, and as a result, les Rouge et Blanc are desperate to find a replacement this winter.
They’ve identified Biereth as a primary target, with the Danish striker impressing in Austria in the last year or so, netting 23 goals and providing seven assists in 47 appearances.
This deal could now be in jeopardy, meaning Arsenal could miss out on a substantial cash injection they had been expecting to receive, perhaps thwarting some of their own transfer plans.
Arsenal could consider Randal Kolo Muani if finances are tight
Regardless of the financial situation Arsenal may find themselves in, an addition in the forward areas is pivotal to ensuring Arteta’s team remain within touching distance of Liverpool in the league.
If there isn’t money to invest in a staple acquisition, then Arsenal could consider Paris Saint-Germain outcast Randal Kolo Muani.
The Frenchman enjoyed a productive debut campaign at the Parc des Princes last season, scoring nine goals and providing six assists for the French giants, but has found himself on the periphery of Luis Enrique’s squad this term.
He could be available on a cut-price deal or on loan, an opportunity Arsenal should pounce at.
Tottenham are understood to be rivalling Arsenal for Kolo Muani’s signature, which could potentially complicate negotiaitions.
| Kolo Muani’s 2022/23 Bundesliga Statistics | |
| Appearances | 32 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 11 |
| Shots Per 90 | 2.57 |
| Expected Goals Per 90 | 0.45 |
However, given his exceptional 2022/23 season at Eintracht Frankfurt, which demonstrated his capabilities when liberated as the German team’s main man, the Gunners ought to push the boat out to complete the deal.
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