The January transfer window is well underway and rumours are flying around Football FanCast Towers thick and fast at the moment.
So thick and fast, in fact, that we’re struggling to keep track of them all. You probably are too, so we thought it would be a good idea to start compiling the rumours surrounding the Premier League’s top clubs into one place – organised in an easily digestible Three In, Three Out format.
This article focuses on table-toppers Arsenal, who are expected to conduct a fair bit of business this month as they hone in on their first Premier League title for over a decade whilst battling a typically Arsenal injury crisis.
Indeed, Arsene Wenger has already confirmed he hopes to make a signing before the end of next week, whilst there are a few matters to attend to on the outward front as well. With that in mind, here’s our Arsenal rumour round-up.
OUT – MATHIEU DEBUCHY
Having been issued just two Premier League starts so far this season, France international Mathieu Debuchy is desperate to secure more regular playing time ahead of Euro 2016 on his home soil.
Indeed, despite costing Arsenal a pricey £12million in summer 2014, the experienced right-back has managed just 22 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners – finding himself stuck behind the prodigious and pacey Hector Bellerin in the No.2 pecking order.
But a well-proven defender of decent enough quality, plenty of clubs are keen on the 30-year-old. The latest reports claim he’s already in talks with Roma over a loan move, that could be made permanent in an £8million deal at the end of the season.
IN – MOHAMED ELNENY
In probably the worst-kept secret of the January transfer window, Arsenal are on the verge of signing FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
The Egypt international isn’t exactly a household name but has shown strong form over the last three seasons, helping the Swiss outfit claim three consecutive Super League titles whilst producing a series of decent displays in the Champions League.
Perhaps most importantly, the 23-year-old should add some mettle to Arsenal’s engine room. He can operate as a box-to-box or a holding midfielder and is notorious for his energetic style of play, which should offer better protection for the backline than ageing duo Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta.
The latest reports claim Arsenal officials have flown to Switzerland to finalise a deal, believed to be worth around the £7million mark.
OUT – JOEL CAMPBELL
Winger-forward Joel Campbell has certainly proved himself a useful member of the Gunners’ first-team squad in recent weeks, bagging two goals and two assists in the Champions League and Premier League combined whilst showing the glimpses of individual flair that earned him so many plaudits at the 2014 World Cup.
But the Costa Rica international’s contract expires at the end of the season and although Arsene Wenger is unlikely to part with him purely for the sake of the club’s bank balance, this will be the north London outfit’s last chance to cash in before losing Campbell on a free transfer during the summer.
Countless sides from the Premier League and yonder have shown an interest in the 23-year-old over the last 18 months or so, whilst former loan employers Olympiacos and Villarreal would be happy to take him off Arsenal’s hands.
Therefore, the Gunners could pick up a decent profit on the South American – perhaps around the £10million-£15million mark – which may be just enough to convince Wenger to sell.
IN – PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sent rumour mongerers into an absolute frenzy earlier this week upon missing Borussia Dortmund’s first day back at training following the Bundesliga’s winter break.
The Gabon international has scored the most goals of any player involved in Europe’s five leading top flights this season with 18 strikes in 17 league outings, paving the way for continuous links with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
The 26-year-old certainly possesses the calibre of firepower to lead Arsenal over the line in this season’s title race, whilst his speed and strength seem particularly befitting of Premier League football.
Spanish journalist Kike Marin claims Arsenal have just launched a £44.6million bid for the striker, but British sources are yet to corroborate.
OUT – ALEX IWOBI (loan)
Prodigious prospect Alex Iwobi was issued a taste of first-team football by Arsene Wenger earlier this season, starting in a Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday followed by a flurry of substitute outings in the Premier League.
But we’re now encroaching upon the business end of the season and following Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round clash with Sunderland, the 19-year-old may find further opportunities to impress limited for the rest of the campaign.
A loan move seems the likeliest scenario and rumour has it the teenage forward is already in talks with Championship outfit Reading, who have rather conveniently just sold their top scorer, Nick Blackman, to promotion hopefuls Derby County.
IN – JAVIER HERNANDEZ
Another Bundesliga striker reportedly on the Gunners’ radar is former Manchester United star Javier Hernandez, who has unsurprisingly flourished since being given the opportunity of regular first team football at Bayer Leverkusen.
Indeed, the Mexico international netted 59 times in 157 outings for the Red Devils – including three consecutive campaigns of double figures in the Premier League – but never really escaped the role of supersub and was eventually deemed surplus to requirements by Louis van Gaal.
Since moving to the Bay Arena during the summer, Chicarito has not only bagged a whopping 19 goals across all competitions – including five goals in the Champions League’s group stages – but also claimed the Bundesliga’s Player of the Month award for December.
Leverkusen are understandably reluctant to sell the 27-year-old after just six months, but every player has their price and Hernandez’ proven Premier League pedigree is a huge selling point.
