With the transfer window now officially open clubs around the world will be looking to strengthen their squad or move players on. However, the January transfer window is not favoured by most managers with several teams unlikely to conduct much transfer business at all, if any. I can understand why some managers and clubs opt against splashing the cash in January but there are always a few bargains available if you look in the right places. There are players with genuine quality and big reputations out of contract in the summer who are well worth a looking at. The likes of: Fernando Llorente, Keisuke Honda, and Moussa Sissoko amongst others could well be picked up for nominal fees in this transfer window, as they are all out of contract in the summer.
Whilst, some football clubs will choose against being very active this January, Arsenal simply have to! There are several players at the club who need to be moved on this January: Squillaci, Fabianski, Santos and Arshavin are all names which spring to mind. Clearing some of the deadwood at the club will both free up squad space and funds for any incomings. Also, loaning out some of the club’s youth players will be beneficial for all parties, with game time important for a young player looking to progress and mature as a footballer. Youngsters including Eisfield and Miguel will be considered for loan moves away from the club in order to gain vital first team experience.
In my opinion, Arsenal simply must target at least 2 quality players in this transfer window whom will make a difference at the club and fight for the badge on the shirt. In addition to this, keeping hold of our best players is a necessity.
The future of Theo Walcott still hangs in the balance although; the striker’s representatives have now held fresh talks with the club. It does appear as though Theo is edging ever closer to signing a new contract at Arsenal Football Club, with the player having previously admitted his expectation to have something sorted out very soon. There seems a willingness from all parties that Theo Walcott does remain a Gunner however, provided certain terms are met. According to widespread reports Walcott will sign a long-term contract for around £90,000 a week therefore, a compromise from the club and players previous demands. Nothing has been confirmed yet though but if Arsenal can tie Theo down this would certainly be a step in the right direction. Walcott has been prolific this season and it has become increasingly important that Arsenal keep hold of one of their prized assets and send out a real statement of intent. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger simply cannot afford to keep rebuilding depleted squads season after season if they want to be successful on the trophy front. Moreover, it also makes more financial sense to give Walcott a significant pay raise instead of shipping him on, in a cut price deal. Primarily, it would be hard to find a quality replacement for Walcott at a good price, available on a reasonable salary and willing to join Arsenal at this stage of the season. Clearly on all fronts keeping hold of Theo Walcott is quite frankly, pivotal.
On the transfer front it appears as though Arsenal are choosing to wrap up Theo Walcott’s future and sell or loan out some of the deadwood first before making any considerable approaches to sign any new players. I believe that this is a wise move as long as Theo’s contractual situation at the club doesn’t hold up proceedings on the transfer front for a lengthy period of time. It is important that the club identifies different targets, as well as pinpointing the positions they feel need strengthening. You would expect that Arsene and the club have an understanding already of whom exactly fits the bill, with talks with players and clubs likely to have started. The club is actively seeking to remove some of the deadwood from the club and the wage bill, with Wenger having admitted that Squillaci and Djourou are free to leave the club. Arsenal cannot afford to waste too much time inactive on the incomings front though, as we will risk missing out on a number of targets.
Moreover, Chamakh has now left the club on a sixth month loan deal, until the end of the season. Chamakh will be looking to impress whilst on loan at West Ham and this move is good all round. Djourou appears to edging closer to a move out from the club on loan now also. Hannover are said to be nearing completion of a loan deal, providing Djourou with the right platform to start playing regularly again. About time! Finally Arsenal and Arsene Wenger appear determined to get rid of fringe players at the club on high wages when you consider exactly what they are offering us. This has been well overdue however, the majority of players Arsenal have let go in recent times have only left on loan. Therefore, the problem is being shifted until the summer with the players long-term futures having to be resolved then. But my opinion is that once they are out of the club, they are out…
Time to get Theo Walcott’s contract rubber stamped and some quality signings signed up please, Arsene.
Who Could Arsenal Sign This January?
Well, if reports are to believed Arsenal fans should expect a minimum of 2 signings in this window although, as we all know nothing is certain in football. And I am sure Arsene Wenger will take into account the return of the likes of Rosicky and Diaby to the squad.
A hatful of different players are linked with January moves to Arsenal each and every day but it does seem likely that Arsenal will move for potentially a: striker, defender, defensive midfielder and possibly an attacking midfielder/ winger.
Arsene Wenger is looking at a variety of different strikers with David Villa and Adrian Lopez said to be on the club’s radar. Personally, I have my doubts regarding a move for Adrian Lopez who scored 19 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season. Whilst, he had a very impressive season last term, he hasn’t featured much at all for Atletico Madrid this season with world-class striker Falcao pushing him further down the pecking order. In fact he has only started 6 of Atletico’s La Liga matches so far, notching 2 goals in the process. He is a versatile player though who can play on the flanks or anywhere upfront. In his native Spain he has been named the new David Villa by some and at the age of 24 he is far from the finished article. He is rated in the region of £10- £15 million pounds but I feel as though Arsenal would be better off looking elsewhere. If the Gunners decided to sign both David Villa and Adrian Lopez then that would be a different matter. As Lopez could play on the wing but it seems more realistic that Arsene Wenger will sign one main striker in January. For me David Villa is pure and simply World Class. He could be available for a fee in the region of £16 million pounds, if reports are to be believed and Barcelona still owe Arsenal money for the transfers of Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song. A compromise could possibly be met over the price then too but Barcelona are reluctant to lose one of their star talents in January. He is out of Barcelona’s first team and whilst Messi remains fit and firing it is likely to remain that way. Villa wants regular football and a move to the Premier League would appeal to him. Even though he is 31 years of age, he is still good value and a player who could really help Arsenal move onto the next level. David Villa still has 2 years + at the top and would be a fabulous signing for any team. If he demands a transfer then he could well be on the way to Arsenal. A Spanish superstar with a proven track record, with the possibility of playing in front of Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere a move to Arsenal could well be a match made in heaven… Wenger sign him up, you know it makes sense!
Arsene Wenger is said to be keen on both Spanish strikers and it remains to be seen whether he will make his interest concrete. If we fail to land either of these players the club may decide to pursue the likes of Remy, Jovetic or Aubameyang etc. David Villa for me is the stand out option for the Gunners upfront though.
With several defenders heading for pastures new as explained earlier a versatile defender would be ideal in January. Someone who can play all over the back four. Montpellier’s French defender Mbiwa is reportedly Wenger’s top defensive target, he is versatile, a leader and a strong defender. He is a very good defender and would be an ideal signing. However, Marseille’s defender and Cameroon international N’koulou would be a decent alternative if we cannot land Mbiwa. N’koulou has in the past admitted to being flattered by rumours of interest in him from Arsenal last season and this could be one move to look out for. He is also versatile defender and both players have been in fine form once again this season.
Lastly, Arsene Wenger could decide to sign a defensive midfielder this month, Yann M’vila continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal however, I would prefer a January move for Toulouse star, Capoue. Capoue is a solid defensive midfielder and statistically the 2nd best defensive mid in Europe this season. His fine form has alerted a number of clubs and a move to Arsenal would interest the Frenchman. Étienne Capoue is 24 years of age and an up and coming star in French football. A deal could well be on the cards if Wenger does press ahead with a bid in the region of £10 million pounds.
Who Would You Like To See Join Arsenal Realistically In January? What Have You Made of This Article?
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