Arsenal have not been at their best in the Premier League this season. They find themselves struggling in the bottom half of the table after 17 games. Having lost more games than they have won, Mikel Arteta would be looking to fix his squad this transfer window. Here we take a look at Arsenal transfer targets list to see some of the players that the North London club may want to sign before the close of the window.
Arsenal transfer targets list for January 2021
When Pierre Emerick Aubameyang extended his Arsenal contract in the summer, many had thought that he would be among the contenders for the Premier League golden boot this season. That has not materialized however and the Gunners have had to look elsewhere for goals in the competition. In fact his barren run in front of goal coincided with Arsenal’s poor run of form which saw them lose 4 in 5 league games, including a narrow defeat at home to Burnley were Aubameyang scored an own goal.
However, the Gunners have peaked since defeating Chelsea on boxing day and can count on the scoring boots of Alexandre Lacazette. Perhaps adding some creativity to the side would further increase their chances of climbing higher up the table. Enter Jack Grealish!
1. Jack Grealish
Aston Villa midfielder Grealish has emerged as a top transfer target for Arsenal and some other top Premier League teams. The 25 year old who plays mainly as an attacking midfielder is always keen to take on defenders. He is a defenders nightmare, no wonder he was the most fouled player in Europe’s top five leagues last season. Jack Grealish has been instrumental to Aston Villa’s incredible form and Arsenal could use a player with his abilities in the attacking third. He has pace and guile, creativity and agility and is never shy in front of goal. Jack Grealish reportedly has a release clause of £45M and that would be quite a bargain for a player of his caliber. Arsenal are keen to get Grealish sooner rather than later as a host of other clubs are also after his signature, notably their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It remains to be seen whether they will be willing to match the player’s release clause, and if Villa would let him leave this January.
2. Houssem Aouar
Arsenal spent most of the summer trying to sign Houssem Aouar, and are undoubtedly still interested in the Lyon midfielder. Aouar can play in a variety of midfield positions, including a holding role and as a playmaker. He is a regular starter for Lyon this season and has provided 3 assists in 15 games. Aouar also has 3 league goals to his name. His vision and close control of the ball makes him a coveted asset. Houssem Aouar is comfortable playing with both feet, always calm on the ball and technically gifted. One quality that Aouar has that is obviously lacking in the Arsenal side is his aerial ability. The 22-years-old is very good in the air for a player his height (1.75m). The Gunners are often vulnerable in the air and often fall victim to teams with aerial abilities. Aouar will not come easily to the Emirates as he is also wanted by other top clubs. PSG are expected to come knocking on the door for him soon. Arsenal will need to be quick in snapping up the youngster who is likely going to cost them £50M. The Frenchman did state earlier that he wants to remain at Lyon, but a lucrative deal could lure him away from the Groupama Stadium. Arsenal are traditionally not big spenders, but they’ve proved in recent years that they can splash out cash to get their transfer targets as was the case with Mesut Ozil in 2013, Aubameyang in 2018 and Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
3. Christopher Nkunku
Another notable player on Arsenal transfer targets list in 2021 is RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku. A versatile midfielder, Nkunku is a key player for Leipzig, able to attack and create chances for his teammates, dictate the tempo of play from deep and shield the defence when not on the ball. Nkunku’s silky footwork makes him able to take on opposition defenders. He would definitely be a great addition to any team. With the Gunners in need of a creative midfielder, Christopher Nkunku has been identified as a top transfer target for Arsenal this winter. Edu and Mikel Arteta are surely going to be monitoring the player’s situation. Although he is not out of favour at the moment, Leipzig do have a wealth of other options in his position. Cashing in on one would not be bad business provided they can get some valuable funds from Arsenal or any other potential buyer. Transfermarkt values Nkunku at €33m currently, but Leipzig are going to want more than that to part with the player who already has 2 goals and 2 assists in the Bundesliga this season.
4. Yusuf Yazici
Arsenal have long been following Yusuf Yazici and he is still on their transfer targets list. They were linked with the Turkish midfielder late last year, with the player’s agent hinting that a move to the Premier League is likely on the cards. Yazici, who joined Lille in 2019, averages about 3.8 key passes per 90 minutes of football in Ligue 1 this season. He is a versatile and clever attacking midfielder with lots of attacking instincts. Yusuf Yazici would bring creativity to the Arsenal squad and afford manager Mikel Arteta more options upfront as he can play as a wide man. He has a powerful left foot and is known for taking aim from distance. Yazici can also come in handy with set pieces and is a great threat during counter attacks, a quality that only Willian can boast of in the Arsenal squad. The Gunners can get Yazici on a bargain as Lille are struggling with debts and are likely to take advantage of this window to cash in on some players. They made good profits last summer from the sale of striker Victor Osimhen to Napoli and defender Gabriel to Arsenal. Both players brought in a combined total of €96m.
5. Matheus Pereira
Alternatively, Arsenal can look in the direction of West Brom star Matheus Pereira. The 24-years-old Brazilian winger has promising talent that could be further developed at Arsenal. Pereira seems unhappy at the Hawthorns since the arrival of new manager Sam Allardyce. He returned to the starting line up in the last two games after having to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench in the previous two games despite being available. Big Sam favours a defensive pattern of football but defending is not Pereira’s greatest asset. The winger could better use his attacking abilities at a club like Arsenal who are lacking creativity. Should the North Londoners decide to get their man, he would cost them a fee in the tune of €20m
6. Christian Eriksen
Another player who may be headed to North London before the close of the January transfer window is Christian Eriksen. Although Jose Mourinho says the door is open for Eriksen to return to Tottenham, Arsenal are believed to be interested in the Dane. Eriksen, 28, has a proven track record in the Premier League and would probably need no time to adapt. The midfielder is out of favour at Antonio Conte’s Inter, and is likely to return to England this January. Who will snap him up between the two rivals?
7. Diego Costa
Spain international, Diego Costa is currently without a club. The former Chelsea man had his Atletico Madrid contract terminated 6 months before expiration. He is linked with a move to the Emirates as well as the Molineux. However, it is not clear where Costa will be heading. Wolves fans are clamouring for the club to sign Diego Costa, but the player may not agree to the move. The presence of his former Chelsea teammates, David Luiz and Willian at Arsenal, may lure him to the Emirates. Though one may wonder whether Mikel Arteta will be able to manage Costa’s aggression and temper. At the moment, Costa is on Arsenal’s transfer targets list.
13 players on Arsenal transfer targets list
- Jack Grealish
- Houssem Aouar
- Christopher Nkunku
- Yusuf Yazici
- Matheus Pereira
- Christian Eriksen
- Diego Costa
- Emiliano Buendia
- Isco Alacron
- Julian Brandt
- Wilfred Zaha
- Jerome Boateng
- David Alaba
