Transfer Gossip: Arsenal set exciting January budget to strengthen two positions but force themselves into tough decision; Man City at midfielder risk

Arsenal want to give themselves a mid-season boost by signing two players within a useful budget, while a Manchester City lynchpin has become of interest to another European force – all in Wednesday’s transfer gossip.

BUDGET SET FOR ARSENAL WINTER SPEND

Arsenal have allocated a transfer budget of £50million for the January window, according to a report – but it will force them to choose just two out of three options.

It has been a positive start to the season for Arsenal, who are top of the Premier League table after 11 matches. They have only tasted defeat once so far and have a two-point lead over Manchester City.

If they keep this form up, they should be able to return to the Champions League. However, to do so, they might need to bring in fresh energy during the January transfer window.

According to The Sun, they have now decided they will be willing to spend £50million mid-season to keep their hopes alive.

Specifically, there are two positions they want to strengthen. And while their options have narrowed in one, they will have to make a choice between two players for the other.

First, it remains a priority to increase their depth in midfield. The report points to the fact that Granit Xhaka has played in all of Arsenal’s matches so far this season.

They were looking at Douglas Luiz, but his recent contract extension with Aston Villa has taken him out of the equation.

Therefore, in terms of finding a new midfielder, all their eggs could be in the Danilo basket. They are now planning a £26million bid for the Palmeiras star after failing to sign him in the summer.

The fact that the Brazilian season will be over at the time of the bid may give Arsenal a better chance than in the summer, when they would have put £22million on the table.

Winger also wanted at Emirates Stadium

If Danilo arrives for half of the January budget, the remainder will be left for a winger. Like Xhaka, Bukayo Saka has been used in every match by Mikel Arteta in 2022-23.

In this case, there could be a dilemma for Arsenal, since they have two options. One player they admire is Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk, while another is Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino.

Both carry a valuation of around £25million, according to The Sun – which might be on the optimistic side, to be honest. Mudyrk turns 22 in January, while Yeremy recently celebrated his 20th birthday.

Either could be an attractive option for the long term. However, Arsenal would have to work out which one they prefer if they want to sign Danilo as well.

KEY MAN CITY MAN WANTED IN HOMELAND

Manchester City are at risk of losing Ilkay Gundogan to a club back in his native Germany in 2023.

Gundogan became Manchester City captain over the summer, but is in the final year of his contract. After the World Cup, it could be time for him to seriously reflect on his future.

According to 90min, the option of returning to play in the Bundesliga could materialise. Indeed, Bayern Munich are now keeping tabs on the former Borussia Dortmund star’s situation.

Gundogan would be open to heading back to his homeland. For now, though, his full focus will be on Manchester City and then his national team.

The Premier League champions want to extend his contract further, since he remains a key player for Pep Guardiola, even at the age of 32.

They may face a wait to see what is going through his mind, though.

Gundogan has played 268 times for Manchester City since joining them in 2016 as Guardiola’s first signing. He has scored 51 goals for the club.

NEWCASTLE TIPPED TO REVIVE PREM PURSUIT

Newcastle have a realistic chance of prising James Maddison away from Leicester City in January, it has been claimed.

Maddison was on Newcastle’s radar over the summer, but he ended up staying at Leicester. However, his suitors have started the season much better than his current employers.

Now, the Newcastle Chronicle predicts that the Magpies’ current strong standing in the Premier League will give them impetus going into the January transfer market.

As a result, someone like Maddison might be more attainable. The same goes for another target that got away in the summer, Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.

Newcastle would still have to spend big to attract either option, but everyone knows the financial backing they have behind them.

They are still hoping to strengthen in attack, so could be back in the market in January.