Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Two January transfers in sight for Arsenal, as Romano gives latest on winger search amid £26m offer

Pedro Neto and Tyrick Mitchell

Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal could look to improve two positions in the January transfer window, while also detailing the club’s chase of Pedro Neto.

Arsenal got most of their business done early. Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Oleksandr Zinchenko all joined the Gunners before the end of July.

Fans were hoping Edu, the club’s technical director, would sanction one or two more arrivals before the summer window shut on Thursday.

Despite Arsenal’s interest in Leicester City star Youri Tielemans and Wolves winger Neto, these moves didn’t come to fruition.

Tielemans will remain at the King Power until January, at least. His contract expires next summer though which means Leicester are set to lose him for a reduced price.

Neto, meanwhile, is more likely to stay at his current club. His Wolves deal runs until June 2027, which means they can charge top dollar for him.

Neto wasn’t the only winger target for Arsenal, as Catalan outlet El Nacional claim they had a £25.9million (€30m) offer rejected by Barcelona for Ferran Torres. Villarreal’s Yeremi Pino was also on their radar.

During an interview with CaughtOffside, Romano was asked about Arsenal hunting for a midfielder and winger.

He said: “Youri Tielemans was always an option but Arsenal didn’t want to spend £35m on a player who would be out of contract in a few months, that’s why it was never close.

Tielemans ‘perfect’ for Arteta – Romano

“Arsenal only sign players when they’re 100% convinced, but, in my opinion, Tielemans was the perfect player for Arteta.

“Arsenal tried three times to sign Douglas Luiz on deadline day. But he was untouchable for Aston Villa and remained so until the last minute.

“They finally said no to an offer worth £25m plus add-ons – they wanted to keep the player, but he will be out of contract next summer and the feeling is that top clubs could come in for him again in January, or when he’s a free agent.”

Romano then spoke about Neto and why he didn’t end up at the Emirates. “There were also rumours about a winger, but again it was more noise than anything concrete,” the journalist said.

Reporter reveals Pedro Neto cost

“Pedro Neto was top of the list. But Wolves wanted more than £50m, while there was never a negotiation for Yeremi Pino.”

While Arsenal didn’t make any big-money signings in the late stage of the window, they could bolster their midfield and winger ranks in January.

“Arsenal will evaluate the January market [and see] if there are opportunities. They will certainly maintain active contacts for both positions,” Romano added.

It’s surprising Arsenal didn’t want to spend £35m on Tielemans this summer. Before he entered the final 12 months of his contract, Leicester put his price tag at £50m.

Arsenal could get Tielemans for a cut-price fee in January, or on a free transfer next summer. However, by waiting until next year they risk another club, such as Real Madrid or Manchester United, coming in for the Belgian.

In terms of their winger chase, it seems Arsenal will continue to monitor Neto’s situation. However, it is unlikely he will be available on the cheap any time soon.

As such, Mikel Arteta’s side may have to look at other players to improve their attacking threat.

Meanwhile, a pundit has given his verdict on whether Arsenal will be able to continue their fast start and win the Premier League title.