Paper Talk: Arteta targets two top stars to bolster Arsenal engine room

Mikel Arteta has two midfielders on his radar as he looks to plug a problem Arsenal position, while Sunday’s papers also claim that Tottenham have joined the race to sign Todd Cantwell.

ARTETA EYES DUO TO BOLSTER ARSENAL MIDFIELD

Arsenal have reportedly identified two midfielders as Mikel Arteta looks to upgrade his engine room this month.

Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes and Juventus’ Arthur Melo are the players named, that’s according to respected journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Arteta recently admitted that the Gunners are very short on numbers in the middle of the park, with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny away on international duty at the African Nations Cup.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who can play in that role, has also been allowed to join Roma on loan. This leaves Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga as the specialist senior options for Arteta.

The report claims that a new midfielder is likely to be signed soon, with Romano stating that Guimaraes and Arthur are on the club’s radar.

The former does come with a problem, however, in terms of his €45million price tag. That’s prompted Arsenal to make a loan move for Arthur instead.

Renato Sanches wanted by Arsenal and Barcelona

Arsenal and Barcelona are set to do battle for Renato Sanches this January as he looks to move on from Lille

Both players would be quality additions to Arteta’s squad, although it looks like the Arthur deal is the more realistic one at this time.

However, if the Gunners fail to pull off either move, a report on Saturday claims that Palmeiras star Danilo is also a serious option.

The north London club are said to have already made a €25million bid for the talented 20-year-old.

TOTTENHAM JOIN CANTWELL CHASE

Tottenham want to sign Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell ahead of Leeds United and Newcastle. (Sun on Sunday).

Marseille defender Boubacar Kamara wants a £150,000-a-week deal from his next club after West Ham joined Newcastle in the fight to sign the 22-year-old. (Sun on Sunday)

Fulham have been dealt a transfer blow as Marseille have joined the race to sign their long-term £18m target Angelo Fulgini from Angers. (Sun on Sunday)

Wayne Rooney’s Derby are in crisis talks with the EFL as a fight with Middlesbrough and Wycombe threatens their survival bid. (Sun on Sunday)

Tottenham are in talks to sign Adama Traoré, with a view to converting the Wolves winger into a right wing back. (Sunday Times)

Aston Villa want Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, but manager Graham Potter says the Seagulls won’t sell the 25-year-old. (Birmingham Mail)

RONALDO HOLDS CRISIS TALKS WITH AGENT

Cristiano Ronaldo has held crisis talks with his agent Jorge Mendes about his future at Manchester United. (Mail on Sunday)

Atletico Madrid want a loan deal for Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares with a view to a permanent deal. (Mail on Sunday)

Paul Pogba has dismissed reports he’s been offered a new Manchester United deal worth £500,000-per-week. (Mail on Sunday)

Birmingham City are closing in on a loan deal for Manchester United’s Ivorian forward Amad Diallo. (Sunday Mirror)

Liverpool do not know how many senior players they will have available to face Shrewsbury – or whether Jurgen Klopp will be on the touchline. (Sunday Mirror)

Harry Maguire has admitted that Manchester United’s players must take the blame for the crisis that has engulfed Old Trafford – not beleaguered boss Ralf Rangnick. (Sunday Mirror)

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MORE TRANSFER GOSSIP

Lazio want Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga but the 27-year-old’s £170,000-a-week wages present a stumbling block. (The Atheltic)

Ralf Rangnick looks like he will be unable to lure Erling Haaland to Manchester United despite initial plans to do so. (Sunday Mirror)

Virgil Van Dijk has revealed how he put club before country last summer. And he insists that Liverpool will continue to come first. (Sunday Mirror)

Mikel Arteta has challenged Josh Kroenke to give him the required funds to “maximise” Arsenal’s January transfer window.  (Sunday Mirror)

Rangers are likely to ramp up negotiations with top target John Souttar this week. They could land the Hearts star in January. (Sunday Mail)

Vitesse Arnhem are ready to stand firm over Rangers target Danilho Doekhi this month and won’t allow their 23-year-old captain to leave for anything less than £2million in January. (Sunday Mail)

Hibernian ace Martin Boyle is wanted in Saudi Arabia, with a £1million-a-year wage packet on the cards. (Scottish Sun on Sunday)

Shaun Maloney is ready to offer Norwich defender Rocky Bushiri a Hibs lifeline. (Scottish Sun on Sunday)