Six days into the January transfer window and Kylian Mbappe remains the most-prolific name linked with a move to Arsenal. The Gunners are one of the teams keeping tabs on the striker's situation at PSG after he entered the final six months of his contract.
football.london understands the north Londoners are monitoring the loan market for potential opportunities. It comes after links with Ivan Toney and Dusan Vlahovic. Furthermore, Fikayo Tomori is the latest name to be linked to the Emirates Stadium.
The AC Milan star has become one of Europe's best-performing central defenders in Italy. However, his importance at the San Siro means a deal could prove to be difficult to complete.
With that said, here's a look at the latest Arsenal transfer news ahead of another busy day following the Gunners.
Arsenal 'chasing' Jeremie Frimpong transfer
Arsenal are reportedly 'chasing' a move for Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong.
The right-back has been a standout performer for Xabi Alonso's side, with seven goals and 10 assists in 22 games across all competitions.
German outlet Bild have reported that Arsenal are one of several clubs 'watching' the Netherlands international. Frimpong is said to have a release clause of €40m (£34m) but it will only become active in the upcoming summer window.
Read the full story HERE
Mikel Arteta stance on Emile Smith Rowe
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about Emile Smith Rowe's role in his squad.
Smith Rowe has struggled for opportunities this term and has been linked with a possible transfer this month. It was suggested that the England international was close to a move to Newcastle in the summer but Arteta has dismissed those claims.
"That was never part of our plans," Arteta admitted.
Asked if Arsenal would consider offers for Smith Rowe, he added: "This is a two-way conversation all the time with players. I love listening to them about how they are feeling, what is the best thing for them, or what they want to do.
"Because you really have to be aligned with them and how they are feeling and they have to feel important. This is still the biggest part of the season to play now and we have to be patient, and he will have his chances."
Diogo Jota admits Arsenal have psychological advantage over Liverpool
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is expecting a tough test against Arsenal tomorrow.
The Gunners will be looking to use the FA Cup tie to get back to winning ways and Jota has admitted that Liverpool could not have received many tougher opponents in the third round of the competition.
"I think they have that extra advantage of trying to make things right and they lost their last game at home, so they don't want to do it again for sure," Jota told Liverpool's club website. "We know that's going to be psychologically an advantage for them, but it will still be a football game and like I said, we are able to go there and win.
"I think especially in the first round that we are in [the competition] we get this trip to Arsenal, it doesn't get much tougher, but it's part of the draw and we know that we can go there and beat them and that's what we want to do."
Brentford 'resigned to losing' Ivan Tiney amid Arsenal interest
Brentford are reportedly 'resigned to losing' Ivan Toney..
The striker scored 20 league goals for the Bees last season but has been serving a suspension for gambling offences since May. He is set to return to action in the coming weeks and has been touted as a target for Arsenal during the January transfer window.
The Daily Mail claims that Brentford are cinfident of keeping hold of Toney this month but are likely to lose him in the summer as Toney has entered the final 18 months of his current contract.
Arsenal have 'no plans' to make Tierney transfer decision
Arsenal reportedly have 'no plans' to bring Kieran Tierney back to the club in January.
The Gunners are claimed to have 'identified' left-back as a weak area of their squad but will not recall Tierney from his loan spell at Real Sociedad.
Instead, Football Insider has reported that Arsenal are 'monitoring overseas targets' as they look to strengthen the side.
Meanwhile, Tierney has stated that he expects to stay with the Spanish side for the remainder of the season:
"Several people have already asked me if I was going to return to Arsenal now and the answer is no. I'm going to stay here for sure. As for staying here longer, the decision is not mine."
Ivan Toney sends Arsenal transfer message
Ivan Toney has proven that he is not far from returning to Premier League action.
The Brentford striker has been suspended for eight months due to betting offences but is eligible for the Bees' next league game against Nottingham Forest on January 20. The west London club are claimed to be demanding around £100m for the England international.
Toney starred for Brentford B in a 5-1 win over Southampton, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist as he continues his comeback.
Read the full story HERE
@ivantoney24 in the goals
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 6, 2024
Enjoy the Big Man's hat-trick pic.twitter.com/1IVPOduBeD
Paul Merson gives Aaron Ramsdale transfer verdict
Arsenal hero Paul Merson has given his verdict on Aaron Ramsdale's future at the club.
The goalkeeper has fallen behind David Raya in the pecking order but it has been suggested that the Gunners will not let Ramsdale leave this month.
"He signed a contract, that's the way it rolls. it's horrible but that's the way it is," Merson told Sky Sports. "They brought in another goalie, [Raya's] number one at the moment, he's got to fight his place. It's as simple as that. When you sign these contracts, that's the way it goes. You can't just say, 'I'm not in the team, I'm leaving tomorrow morning to play somewhere else'.
Where are you going? Yopu're not going to Liverpool, you're not going to Man United. The only one is Chelsea but I don't see Arsenal selling to Chelsea. For me, he has to fight for his place. Be Patient, he's only young and goalkeeper is probably the only position that the older you get, the better you get when you get to 30.
Arsenal secret weapon vs Liverpool
Arsenal have spent the whole week preparing for a challenging FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium this Sunday.
The Gunners have struggled for positive results as of late with just one victory arriving in their last seven games along with two back-to-back Premier League defeats to end a largely positive 2023.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka coul are a duo that have struggled form and now Mikel Arteta may have the perfect replacement for the fixture.
Read the full story here
New suspension blow ahead of Arsenal vs Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has been handed yet another Liverpool blow ahead of the FA Cup clash against Arsenal. Fresh injuries and players being away on international duty has taken the number of absences to double figures for the trip to Emirates Stadium with some concerns in each area of the pitch.
The main blow for the Reds comes in regard to Mohamed Salah with the 31-year-old away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations for the next couple of weeks. In midfield, Wataru Endo is also heading to an international tournament as he prepares for the Asia Cup with Japan.
With the 4-2 win over Newcastle as his last appearance for a number of weeks, a similar absence looks set to be in place for Dominik Szoboszlai after he left Monday night's clash clutching his hamstring. “It's an injury. Muscle, hamstring," Klopp said on Friday morning as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
"We will have to see. Dom is very positive, not a lot of pain but no chance for Sunday. Not for then Wednesday. Then we will see. After that, hopefully, he might be back but we don't know.” At the back, Andy Robertson remains out with a shoulder injury and he was joined by Kostas Tsimikas following the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in December and now another defensive blow has emerged.
Read the full story here
Mbappe sets transfer deadline amid Arsenal hope
Kylian Mbappe has set an internal deadline for when he will reveal his plans for the future amid expectations he will leave Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. The France international has been the talk of the transfer world for the last six months after he formally communicated to PSG he would not be signing an extension when his current deal expires this summer.
Understandably, this alerted numerous elite clubs with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool of the Premier League interested. Now that the January transfer window has opened, Mbappe is free to agree a pre-contract move with just six months remaining on his current contract at Parc Des Princes.
Spanish giants Real Madrid meanwhile, have been linked with a move for Mbappe since his permanent switch to PSG with the expectation being he will eventually end up at the Bernabeu. However, Madrid are pushing hard for Mbappe to make a decision by mid-January if he wishes to sign for them.
On the topic of deadlines, the World Cup winner has set his own with L'Equipe, via Marca, detailing that he will make his final decision known prior to PSG's Champions League last-16 clash against Real Sociedad with the first leg to be contested on February 14, 2024.
Rice Arsenal transfer reveal
West Ham have published their accounts for the financial year ending May 2023 which show an interesting detail about the fee received by Arsenal for Declan Rice. The Gunners chased the signature of the Hammers captain for much of the summer before an agreement was finally reached which would see Arsenal pay £100million up front and a potential further £5million in add-ons to bring Rice to Emirates Stadium.
Despite having the pressure of being the most expensive English player, the 24-year-old has made a stunning start to life under Mikel Arteta. While Arsenal currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, Rice has rarely put a foot wrong since joining although the north Londoners have gone through somewhat of a recent rough patch having won just twice in their last seven games.
Prior to his arrival, the tense talks from the summer took longer than expected as both clubs attempted to negotiate a more favourable package with West Ham wanting more of the fee up front while Arsenal preferred to offer up the money in instalments.
As was reported before the start of the season, the expectation was that the fee would be paid in two equal instalments with West Ham initially receiving a large portion of the money in the summer before having the £100million in full by 2025. West Ham's accounts suggest they have moved to get a portion of the money in September 2023 via a loan, a common practice in football.
Read the full story here
Jorrel Hato competition
Arsenal face competition from Real Madrid for Dutch wonderkid Jorrel Hato, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
The Gunners have been scouting the 17-year-old this season after his impressive performances with Ajax. It's been reported that Mikel Arteta had been impressed with his displays in a struggling Ajax team.
However, Real Madrid have now joined the race to sign the defender.
Nketiah exit tipped
Ex-Premier League and England defender Glen Johnson believes Eddie Nketiah should leave Arsenal and join West Ham United if he is to reach his full potential.
Nketiah has been linked with a move away from the Gunners this season with the Hammers and Crystal Palace tipped. However, Johnson has tipped the striker to move to David Moyes' side.
“I think he’d be a good signing for West Ham and if the money’s right, then it could be a good deal for both parties," he told ggrecon.com. “Nketiah’s shown a lot of promise and potential, but he’s never been a regular starter for Arsenal.
The Englishman certainly has proven he can score goals in the Premier League, and has been extremely reliable when called upon. Unfortunately for him, he just does not suit the system that Mikel Arteta wants to play.
If West Ham can find the £40 million that the North London club are demanding, Nketiah could be the player to finally fill their long-lasting void they have had up front.
Latest Liverpool injury news ahead of Arsenal
Jurgen Klopp will now have three key players unavailable for Liverpool's FA Cup clash against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Kostas Tsimikas broke his collarbone and therefore looks set to be on the sidelines for a lengthy period.
The Greek international had come into the starting XI in the absence of Andy Robertson, who dislocated his shoulder while in action for Scotland. On the topic of international teams, both Salah and Wataru Endo will miss the next few weeks as they represent Egypt and Japan in their respective nations' tournaments.
Although that double absence eventually arriving was known to Klopp, the Liverpool boss has now been hit by a major injury worry he did not foresee.
Read the full story here
Pep Guardiola provides update on trio
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has delivered an update on the fitness of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku and it's not news that Arsenal will want to hear.
"Jeremy feels really, really good and Kevin as well," he said in his pre-match press conference. "And Erling is also a little bit better, have to be careful with the bone.
"Kevin has been out a long time. We have to be patient and give the right minutes for him and Jeremy.
"But in the two or three training sessions they feel good and are improving. I don't know about Sunday or Newcastle but for the rest they will be ready."
Mbappe to Liverpool ruled out
Premier League striker Michail Antonio has ruled Liverpool out of the race to sign PSG star Kylian Mbappe amid concerns over his wages.
The forward is at the top of every top European clubs transfer list amid ongoing uncertainty over his future. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been tipped, but Antonio has ruled the Reds out.
Speaking on the Footballer's Football Podcast, he said: "I’m going to ask you a question: I don’t want the Liverpool fans firing shots. I’m going to ask you a question, you’re going to answer it and then I’m going to answer. Can Liverpool pay the salary?
"If he’s going anywhere, it will be Real Madrid. If he’s coming to the Premier League, it’s going to be Man City. They are the only two clubs that are going to be paying the wages. There is no-one else."
Arsenal plot move for England defender
Arsenal are targeting a move for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, according to a report by Football Transfers.
The England international moved to Italy several years ago after coming through the academy at Chelsea but not being offered many first-team opportunities.
Their report states Mikel Arteta has earmarked the ex-Chelsea man as a possible defensive signing.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to today's Arsenal live blog. Here's a look at the biggest stories ahead of the day.
