Dazzling Arsenal deal for Bayern attacker accelerates with midfield signing also on for Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are reportedly growing hopeful of a stunning raid on Bayern Munich with a deal to bring an electric winger back to the Premier League seemingly gathering pace.
The Gunners sit proudly on top of the Premier League with 12 wins from 14 games so far. That has allowed Mikel Arteta’s side a handsome five-point lead over Manchester City, meaning Arsenal will be top at Christmas.
Teams that traditionally sit top of the pile on the day santa comes down the chimney tend to go on to win the title. But everyone at Arsenal knows the Gunners will have their work cut out if they are to hold off the threat of Pep Guardiola’s side.
With that in mind, Arsenal chiefs are preparing to hand Arteta a £50m January warchest to help in their title quest. And within that budget, the Gunners hope to bring in two players to boost their squad.
Top of Arteta’s wishlist is a new midfielder. Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are first-choice partners in midfield, but competition for their places is virtually non-existent. Arsenal do have Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga in reserve – but neither have the trust of Arteta.
Instead, reports claim they are closing in on a cut-price January deal for Youri Tielemans. The Leicester midfielder is a free agent come the summer and can walk away without a transfer fee. And now the Foxes have eased their relegation fears, they are seemingly ready to cash in come the winter window.
Those hopes have also gained traction amid claims Tielemans’ fellow suitors Barcelona now believe the Belgian is Arsenal bound.
Arteta sets out transfer aims
Arteta, though, is also desperate to bolster his attack. And that need has increased with Gabriel Jesus suffering a knee injury while on World Cup duty with Brazil.
Jesus will now have to go under the knife and looks likely to be sidelined for around three months.
The loss of the Brazilian star will certainly hit Arsenal hard. He has 10 goal involvements in 14 appearances and replacing him in the side will be a big concern for Arteta.
One option Arteta does have is recalling Folarin Balogun from his loan stint with Stade Reims. He has impressed for the Ligue 1 side and would be a ready-made, if slightly untested, replacement if required.
However, reports claim Arteta is unlikely to shift from his initial plan of bringing in a new winger. And any such deal could see Gabriel Martinelli move from his role on the left flank to a more central role.
The Gunners are looking at Shakhtar’s Mykhaylo Mudryk, though the Ukrainian seemingly comes with a ridiculous valuation.
As an alternative, Arsenal are also looking at Leroy Sane. The former Manchester City man was first mentioned as an Arsenal target last month.
Leroy Sane hopes grow for Arsenal
Now according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Sane is keen to make the move to Emirates Stadium.
Sane knows Gunners boss Arteta well from their time together at Man City. And there is talk that Bayern Munich may be willing to cash in if a sizeable offer comes their way.
Speaking to Givemesport, O’Rourke said: “I think it could only help, if there’s any potential move for Leroy Sane, if he knows people that he has previously worked with, like Mikel Arteta.
“I’m sure it will come into his thinking if he wants to leave Bayern Munich, and he will definitely seriously consider a move to Arsenal because Arteta’s there, and the players that he’s played with as well.”
Any deal for Sane would likely set Arsenal back at least £40m. But if they can get the 26-year-old and Tielemans both in and around their £50m budget, that would represent two excellent pieces of business for the Gunners.
