Arsenal have had to keep their powder dry in the winter transfer window, but here are three deals that boss Mikel Arteta can agree at Emirates Stadium during deadline day.
The Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) have forced Arteta to cap his plans for mid-season signings. Arsenal have backed the Spaniard heavily over recent markets but found themselves nearing their FFP limit last summer when David Raya only arrived on loan.
A lack of big-ticket sales has also restricted the north London giants’ activity with the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Thomas Partey still at Emirates Stadium. Both have attracted interest, and deals for either to leave on deadline day may allow Arsenal to land some last-ditch transfers.
Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad in the mid-season sales with Arsenal still in the mix to win the Premier League. The Gunners are also back in the Champions League last 16 for the first time since 2016/17. FC Porto host the north Londoners in their first leg on February 21.
Deadline day, then, might prove to be the busiest that Arsenal have been during the winter 2024 transfer window. So, with that in mind, Arsenal Insider takes a look at three potential deals that Arteta can still agree before the winter transfer window slams shut at 23:00 GMT.
Arsenal have been offered Wilson’s transfer from Newcastle
Arsenal showed an interest in the transfers of Brentford talisman Ivan Toney, SSC Napoli star Victor Osimhen and even Al-Ittihad captain Karim Benzema in January to afford Arteta a new striker. Yet pricing Nketiah out of a switch away denied the Spaniard a budget for his targets.
A new striker could line up at Emirates Stadium after deadline day, though. Fabrizio Romano reports that Callum Wilson might yet leave Newcastle United. The forward’s situation might even play out right until the window slams shut as the Magpies work to balance their books.
According to the Evening Standard, intermediaries have offered Arsenal a chance to agree a transfer for Wilson. But Chelsea and Manchester United have also been informed about the striker’s availability for an £18m move. Wilson is also currently recovering from a calf injury.
It is the third time this season that Wilson has spent time on the sidelines at St James’ Park due to an injury. Yet he still boasts seven goals during 14 Premier League appearances this term. Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s top goalscorer so far this season with seven from 21 outings.
Galatasaray push to secure Cedric’s transfer from Arsenal
Galatasaray are pushing to secure a transfer for Arsenal outcast Cedric Soares, according to football.london. The Super Lig giants are prepared to hand the right-back a two-and-a-half-year contract to go to Turkey. Cimbom are also willing to pay Arsenal a small fee for a deal.
Cedric is not a part of Arteta’s plans at Emirates Stadium and will face an even greater fight for minutes when Takehiro Tomiyasu returns from the Asia Cup with Japan. The 32-year-old has not played a Premier League fixture this term after 12 matches as an unused substitute.
Arteta has further only awarded Cedric 62 minutes in the Champions League after starting in their dead-rubber Group B draw at PSV Eindhoven. The Portuguese also only played the last three minutes of regular time as Arsenal pipped Brentford in the Carabao Cup in September.
Now, the defender could be on his way to Istanbul on deadline day as Ben Jacobs claims that Cedric’s transfer is a ‘priority’ for Galatasaray. Cimbom’s board are determined to secure his services as they value his experience. Yet they do not need to seal a deal before February 2.
The Turkish transfer window remains open until February 9, so Arsenal could still sanction a transfer for Cedric to Galatasaray once the Premier League market slams shut. Arteta is not likely to block a move when they cannot sign a replacement, either, given his lack of games.
Wolves and Newcastle target Arsenal prospect Cozier-Duberry
Arsenal also have a decision to make regarding academy sensation Amario Cozier-Duberry’s future. The winger is out of contract at the end of this season and is attracting vast interest in his transfer. Clubs can sign the 18-year-old for a modest compensatory sum this summer.
Reports by the Evening Standard note AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle and RSC Anderlecht have all scouted Cozier-Duberry this term. Arsenal are also in talks with him over a new contract. But they risk a rival swooping on the cheap without securing his extension.
Additionally, Romano reports that Wolves have joined the race for Cozier-Duberry’s transfer from Arsenal. He has been in and around Arteta’s first-team squad for the last few years but is yet to make an appearance. The England U19 talent has only been on their bench to date.
But as Romano claims there is still some differences in Arsenal and Cozier-Duberry’s stances regarding a new contract, Arteta may have to accept a deadline day transfer if the right bids arrive. The forward has been in Arsenal’s academy since the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
