Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Euro Paper Talk: Arsenal plotting £94m January spree to coincide with Edu promotion; Napoli open talks with winger to crush Liverpool dream

Eintracht Frankfurt players Evan N'Dicka and Daichi Kamada

Arsenal are ready to spend big in January to consolidate their position as firm title challengers this season, while Liverpool look set for a blow in their chase for a brilliant Napoli attacker – all in Friday’s Euro transfer gossip.

ARSENAL TO CELEBRATE EDU PROMOTION WITH DOUBLE COUP

Edu looks set to busy a man in the January window after Arsenal promoted him to become the club’s first-ever Sporting Director.

The Brazilian has worked wonders at the club since his return in 2019, crafting the current Gunners team that sit top of the table.

And he’s been rewarded for his efforts, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham saying: “We are delighted that Edu is recommitting his future to the Club that he so clearly loves, after making such a positive and critical contribution to our progress in his time with us so far.”

Edu’s thoughts will now switch to how he can bolster Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title push.

And, according to football.london, two deals are very much in the pipeline for a combined £94million.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk remains the main name on everyone’s lips associated with Arsenal.

The Ukraine winger has been in sensational form this season, but Shakhtar have upped their price from a reported £52million to £87m in recent days.

They are confident that several clubs bidding for Mudryk will drive his price up nearer to what they actually want.

Frankfurt star also on radar of Edu

The other player tipped to join the Gunners in the new year is Eintracht centre-back Evan Ndicka.

While central defence is not a position that jumps out in terms of an upgrade, Ndicka would add more cover for the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel.

Whatsmore, the former France Under-21 international is available for a bargain £7m due to his contract expiring next summer.

And football.london adds that there is a strong possibility of Edu making a move for the 23-year-old.

NAPOLI LOOKING TO TIE DOWN KEY DUO

Napoli have opened talks to extend the contracts of highly-rated duo Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae. The former has emerged as a major target for Liverpool in the January window. (La Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Arsenal full-back Cedric Soares is being pursued by Fulham, Bayer Leverkusen and Villarreal. (ESPN)

RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, who is wanted by Chelsea and Tottenham, has emerged as a top Barcelona target to replace Gerard Pique. (Sport)

Hakim Ziyech is planning to use the World Cup as a stage to convince AC Milan to sign him in January (Calciomercato)

A race to sign right-back Pedro Porro is brewing, with Tottenham firmly in the running. (Jornal de Notícias)

PREM TRIO CHASING BETIS MIDFIELDER

Arsenal have ‘set their sights’ on Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho but are not the only Premier League side to do so, with Leicester City and Newcastle United also keen. (Fichajes)

William Carvalho Real Betis July 2022

Roma could make an attempt for Japan striker Hiroki Ito in January. (La Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Atletico Madrid scouted 17-year-old Brazilian Vitor Roque last weekend. (Diario AS)

Torino are still interested in Dennis Praet and will try to loan him again from Leicester in January. (Tuttosport)

LaLiga giants Barcelona are eager to sign Arsenal starlet Charlie Patino. (Sport)

Girona right-back Arnau Martinez has reiterated his desire to join Barcelona. (Esport3)

MORE EURO TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich do not want Benjamin Pavard to leave despite his contract ending in the summer of 2024. (Kicker)

Benjamin Pavard and Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich

Yachine Adli could leave Milan on loan in January as he’s struggling with playing time under Pioli. (Tuttosport)

Yunus Musah could leave Valencia if the club receives a suitable offer of €20million for the US midfielder’s transfer. (Corriere dello Sport)

Bologna will scout Poland midfielder Michal Skoras at the World Cup, while Atalanta have targeted Fabian Rieder. (La Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Fiorentina will make an offer for Spezia defender Nikolaou in January. (Il Corriere Dello Sport)