Arsenal’s hunt for a new midfielder continues to be a priority, but they are quickly running out of time.
The deadline is rapidly approaching, and so far the Gunners have been frustrated in their attempts to make a sixth signing following the arrivals of Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson.
But Mikel Arteta is clearly keen to do some late business. “I think it is a crucial moment because the end defines the people, the players, the balance and the quality that you are going to have, probably, for the rest of the season,” the Arsenal boss said on Friday.
That comment hints at potential new additions, so it could be a busy and eventful deadline day for the club.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 3")
We’ve taken a look at some of the players who could still end up at the Emirates.
Houssem Aouar
This one seems increasingly unlikely, given Lyon’s insistence that negotiations are now over. The Ligue 1 club had set a deadline of Friday for Aouar’s potential sale, and that has now passed.
The player himself has also reportedly decided to stay put, even after being identified as a key target for Arsenal.
So the expectation is that the Gunners will have to wait if they are to sign Aouar. But nothing can be ruled out on deadline day. Spontaneous decisions are often made and clubs can be tempted to change their stance.
Arteta is clearly an admirer of Aouar, too, so that might push the club to make one last approach. If not, they will have to look elsewhere.
Thomas Partey
Another player who has been incessantly linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer. Partey’s £45m release clause is the sticking point because of the Gunners’ limited funds.
There were suggestions that Lucas Torreira heading in the opposite direction might help push through a deal, but Atletico don’t appear in the mood to negotiate .
It will all come down to whether or not Arsenal are willing to stump up the money required to buy Partey. He is a very different player to Aouar, less creative and a more deep-lying midfielder.
But midfield is an area Arteta wants to strengthen, and Partey would certainly have plenty to offer.
Amadou Diawara
If Partey proves too expensive, Arsenal may turn their focus to Diawara, who is, according to Il Messaggero, valued at around £27m by Roma.
The Italian publication claimed last month that Arsenal and Tottenham will fight it out to sign the 23-year-old midfielder on deadline day.
Diawara is unsettled at Roma, but it remains to be seen if Arteta will move for a holding midfielder given the early season form of Mohamed Elneny.
Jorginho
Reports have emerged claiming that Arsenal will now prioritise the signing of Jorginho having missed out on Aouar.
The Italy international would certainly provide the kind of defence-splitting, incisive passes that Arteta must feel is missing in his current team.
But he is unlikely to come cheap. Jorginho appears to still be very much in Frank Lampard’s plans at Chelsea, starting and scoring twice from the penalty spot as his side beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on Saturday.
A late move for the 28-year-old, though, seems a distinct possibility at some point. Whether a deal will be agreed is another matter.
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