#59 - 1 week to go: What Arsenal could get done this week
An overview of the activity at Arsenal ahead of next weeks transfer deadline.
Arsenal started the month needing to do something in the market. Then Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL injury and the need for reinforcements got clearer.
Mikel Arteta and players have publicly asked for help too, but at the time of writing nothing has happened. We keep hearing Arsenal are active though, so here’s what Arsenal are said to be working on, and how the squad could be looking heading into the latter part of the season.
A forward signing seems inevitable. But who? Arsenal are keen not to spend big unless they can secure their primary targets.
Mathys Tel, the 19-year-old Bayern Munich talent, is reportedly on Arsenal’s radar. A loan deal with an option to buy could be a good deal for the versatile attacker. Tel, capable of playing wide or centrally, is raw but offers exciting potential and would add much-needed depth. Another option is Matheus Cunha, though it remains uncertain if Wolves would entertain a sale. A serious bid north of £50 million could test their resolve.
Benjamin Sesko and Nico Williams are names that Arsenal admire, but immediate moves appear challenging. Sesko, a long-term target, seems out of reach this month, while Williams’ wage demands remain a stumbling block.
Meanwhile, whispers of a loan deal for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic are likely to resurface. Vlahovic has dropped behind Kolo Muani in Juventus’ pecking order, and Arsenal have long held an interest in the Serbian striker.
Some outlets suggest Arsenal could look to Evan Ferguson, who is being made available on loan by Brighton. Arsenal would need to terminate a loan or make Neto or Raheem Sterling permanent signings to open up a domestic loan spot to push this one through. Would Brighton consider a reduced permanent sale given Ferguson’s struggles over the last 12 months? At around £30million, given his potential, it may be worth the gamble.
In midfield, Arsenal are pursuing Sverre Nypan, a highly rated youngster from Rosenborg. The versatile Norwegian can operate as a number eight or ten and would add depth to the squad while being groomed for the future.
Whilst on the face of it, many will ask, ‘why do we need this now, we have other priorities’, his arrival could allow Ethan Nwaneri to focus on filling in for Bukayo Saka on the right whilst he is injured, allowing Nypan to ease some of the burden on Martin Ødegaard and providing an exciting prospect for seasons to come. Nypan coming in this week would certainly help our depleted squad now, whilst being a significant coup for the future.
Outgoings may also shape the final days of the window. While Jorginho and Kieran Tierney are expected to stay until their contracts expire in the summer, speculation persists about their potential departures this month, with both players on substantial wages but on the periphery of the squad.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, however, is the most likely exit this month. With Arsenal well-stocked at left-back and seeking funds for reinforcements, a £20million fee for the Ukrainian could be reinvested into new signings. Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are the most interested parties.
Arsenal’s intentions are clear: strengthen their squad while maintaining flexibility for future windows. Fans can expect a few surprises as the clock ticks down on what could be a crucial week for the Gunners. A forward is a must, and we may see some new names come out in the coming days as Arsenal appear to be working in the shadows.
Let presume we sell Zinchenko, and sign Tel on loan and Nypan permanently. This would be Arsenal’s squad for the rest of the season.
Personally I don’t think it would be enough to win the Premier League or Champions League, but Arsenal probably lost their Premier League chance by not acting earlier in the month. Too many points have been lost already. And we must protect the ‘floor’, ensuring we don’t get dragged into a top four battle.
Moves for Nypan and Tel (if a buy option) would give the squad a bit of a boost now, but also be positive long term moves, without any real cost expended, given we would bring in a similar amount to what they’d cost from any Zinchenko sale.
What do you think, and what do you expect in the coming week? Comment below with your thoughts!