Arsenal are still looking for Premier League title in the second half of the season, although it won’t be easy from here, as they will have to rely on Liverpool to slip up to bridge the gap as they deal with a host of star injuries.
As such, Mikel Arteta may be looking to reshape his squad in January, meaning a number of players could be on the move to make room for new players. Here we take a look at five players who could be on the move before the deadline.
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The focus may now be on Arsenal’s recruitment rather than sales, but with financial constraints to adhere to and the pressure of another Premier League title race, the Gunners may need every penny they can get to make signings and create a successful campaign .
1
Kieran Tierney
Associated with: Celtic
If it wasn’t already clear that Kieran Tierney is not part of Arteta’s future plans, the left-back’s contract has been revealed will not be extended after the end of the season, when it should expire.
As such, the Douglas-born defender will be able to leave the Gunners permanently at the end of the season, although there are indications that a deal could be done earlier.
This was reported by Sky Sports Celtic wanted the 27-year-old back at Parkhead in January, exploring a pre-contract and loan deal. Since then it has been claimed that a return to Scotland for Tierney is near.
There are signs the full-back wants to return to Scotland given his comments about his former club when asked about a potential return in 2022 on the podcast, saying:
“I think when a player who loves a club leaves, there’s always that ‘what if he comes back’ thing, and you can’t rule anything out.
“I will always love Celtic, I will always support Celtic, so you never know in football.”
Tierney has enjoyed a short stint in the first team since recovering from injury, so he could be put in the shop window ahead of a potential summer – or winter – move.
Arsenal’s recent injury problems even meant that the full-back was deployed on the left wing in the north London derby, so there may be a small chance that Arteta could still find value in keeping Tierney, even though his Gunner days appear to be running out.
2
Jakub Kiwior
Associated with: Napoli
Speaking at the end of November, Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio suggested the Gunners would be open to sanctioning the departure of Jakub Kiwior this winter due to the defender’s links to Napoli, saying:
“Napoli asked about Kiwior’s situation and now Arsenal are open to him on loan.
“Antonio Conte is wondering if he is good enough to play for Napoli because he doesn’t play for Arsenal, but he will definitely look for him and try to take him on loan. Now it’s time for him to go back to Italy because he has to play.”
Recently, however, the reports suggested that Arteta wants to keep the Poland international because he appreciates his versatility. That’s what he said, with the 24-year-old’s advisor pushing to move this winter, an exit is seemingly still possible, with a loan deal seeming the most likely scenario.
3
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Linked to: Napoli, Inter, Juventus
Similar to Tierney, Tomiyasu permanent injury problems means that he failed to fight his way into the fight for a regular starting place at the Emirates Stadium.
This season, the Japanese international has been sidelined with a knee problem, which has limited him to just six minutes actions in the Premier League, while it is believed that he was unhappy with his place in the team for a long time.
Back in September, it was reported that the 26-year-old is “ready to leave” the Gunners due to the interest of a number of Serie A clubs, namely Napoli, Inter and Juventus.
At the time, a fee of around £16.7m would be enough for Arteta to sanction the defender’s departure, although it remains to be seen how much interested parties are prepared to offer in January.
4
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Related to: Inter, Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal could be set for a few departures in the full-back department this January, as Zinchenko’s future at the club also remains in doubt.
Although the Ukrainian has suffered from several injuries this season, he has struggled to get playing time even when fully fit, only starting a handful of Premier League games have gone down in a row at the Emirates Stadium.
Serie A clubs are interested in a number of Arsenal players, and Zinchenko is no different, with Inter said he was interested in the signature of the left back. The Italian giants have eyed the 28-year-old for his international experience and versatility, and there is a belief that a deal could be done for an affordable fee due to his lack of prominence this season.
Reports in the January transfer window have since claimed as much Zinchenko is now also wanted by Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side have opened negotiations with Arsenal’s squad of players, and the Gunners are open to exiting the loan deal, which includes an obligation to buy.
5
Jorginho
Linked to Palmeiras, Flamengo
Jorginho arrived at the Emirates two years ago, but could be on his way out of the club in the January transfer window. The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, although the Gunners have the option to extend it by a further 12 months if they wish.
However, it appears that a move to Brazil could be on the horizon in 2025, s Two clubs Palmeiras and Flamengo have been checked as potential destinations for Jorginho.
The 33-year-old’s agents have already held a meeting with Palmeiras and offered the Brazilian side the chance to sign him, so he could be one to keep an eye on in 2025.
