Arsenal information: Mikel Arteta’s January switch plans as goal wished by Man Utd in talks
Arsenal are flying high at the top of the Premier League table and Mikel Arteta’s men are looking forward to what could be a pivotal month before the January transfer window opens
As the dust settles on Arsenal destroying Tottenham 4-1, they will now shift their attention to a hectic week ahead.
Hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze stole the show in the north London derby after Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for Arsenal, to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points. With title rivals Manchester City and champions Liverpool losing on Sunday, it was a perfect weekend for the Gunners.
There will be no let-up for Mikel Arteta or his squad as his men now prepare to face Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League match. This will be followed by a pivotal league trip to Stamford Bridge to face second placed Chelsea on Sunday. In the meantime, the Gunners boss and sporting director Andrea Berta will be keeping an eye on the transfer market, with just over a month remaining until the January window opens.
Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates.
Gunners dealt Antoine Semenyo setback
It was no secret that Arsenal were keen to strengthen their left wing position in the summer.
Antoine Semenyo’s outstanding form over the past two seasons, coupled with his admission of being an Arsenal fan, has led to the Gunners being linked with the Bournemouth star in recent months.
However, it’s highly unlikely that Arsenal will secure a transfer for the Ghanaian, who reportedly has a £65million release clause in his contract, reports the Mirror.
Despite remaining compliant with PSR rules, the Gunners are thought to be pushing the boundaries of UEFA Squad Cost rules following their record-breaking summer spending spree.
Therefore, it’s understood that, unless there’s a significant sale on their part, January is likely to be a quiet month for transfer activity in N5.
This is particularly true given Arteta’s side’s strong start to the season and the wealth of depth available to the Spanish manager.
If Semenyo remains at the Vitality Stadium until the end of the season, when his release clause will decrease, Arsenal could reconsider their stance, especially if Gabriel Martinelli is sold.
However, the 25-year-old Bournemouth star is already being linked with several rival clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham, which could make bringing him to the Emirates Stadium a considerable challenge.
Talks with Kenan Yildiz continue
Another player that Arteta is known to admire is Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz.
Berta has been monitoring the Turkey international’s situation in Turin, although this is standard procedure rather than a significant development.
Yildiz, who can play as a left winger or central attacking midfielder, is currently in negotiations with Juventus over a potential pay increase. The Serie A heavyweights believe the 20-year-old deserves a more generous salary.
However, these discussions have been ongoing for several months without a positive resolution. Juventus’ sporting director Giorgio Chiellini has insisted the club is relaxed about the situation, given Yildiz’s contract runs until June 2029.
Sources close to Yildiz are said to have confirmed that several Premier League clubs have made informal enquiries over the past six months to understand the Turkish player’s circumstances.
Even if Juventus fail to agree on a new deal with Yildiz, the former Bayern Munich youth star is expected to command a hefty transfer fee.
Manchester United were among the clubs contemplating a move for Yildiz earlier this year, before they ultimately signed Matheus Cunha in the summer.
Chelsea and Real Madrid could also join Arsenal in the race for his signature, given their interest in the player.
