With the transfer window’s Monday deadline suddenly looming over the Premier League, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive during the last few days – spinning faster than Alexis Sanchez on the dance floor at the Arsenal Christmas party.
The rumours are flying into Football Fancast Towers with such incredible velocity that we’re struggling to keep track of them all. In fact, a few of our yellow-bellied interns have already been sent home with motion sickness.
You’re probably struggling with all the relentless tall tales being produced by the tabloid as well, so we’ve decided to put the latest rumours involving the Premier League’s top clubs into one place.
This article focuses on Arsenal, who have already landed one signing this month in the form of FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny, whilst promising youngster Glen Kamara has been shipped out on loan to Southend.
But could we see a few more incomings and outgoings at the Emirates before the January transfer window slams shut? Here’s what the papers are saying…
IN -BEN CHILWELL
Arsenal have been targeting Leicester City starlet Ben Chilwell since last summer and recent reports from The Sun claim they’re about to launch a £4million bid.
The 19-year-old is yet to feature in the Premier League but has clocked up three senior appearances in cup competitions since returning to the King Power Stadium in January from a loan spell with Huddersfield in the Championship.
He’s also featured twelve times for England at youth international level and according to the tabloids at least, is one of the Premier League’s most promising home-grown youngsters.
With fellow left-back Jeffrey Schlupp returning from injury, the timing might be right for the Foxes to cash in. That, however, could reportedly spell the end for a current Arsenal star, which brings us nicely onto…
OUT – KIERAN GIBBS
Per The Sun once again, the British tabloid speculate than Ben Chilwell’s potential arrival could force Kieran Gibbs out of the Emirates.
The left-back has been involved in the Gunners first team since the start of the 2007/08 season and was their resident No.3 for the best part of three years. But he’s registered just two Premier League starts so far this term, slumping behind Nacho Monreal in the pecking order.
The Sun speculate that if Chilwell comes in, the 26-year-old will look to move on in the summer. But with his place in England’s Euro 2016 squad on the line, we could see the ten-cap international push for a late January transfer instead.
Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Swansea City are reportedly interested.
IN – ANDRIY YARMOLENKO
A curious story courtesy of Ukraine source Sport, Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £23million fee with Dynamo Kiev for winger-forward Andriy Yarmolenko.
Having amassed 108 goals in 280 appearances for the Ukrainian outfit, including 13 strikes this season, the 26-year-old has been billed as one of the biggest talents outside of mainstream European football for some time.
Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have courted his signature in the past but according to The Star at least, it’s the Gunners who are now on the verge of a £23million deal.
Expensive January arrivals aren’t exactly Arsene Wenger’s style. But a versatile attacker with a strong scoring record, the Ukraine international could well push Arsenal over the line in this season’s title race.
OUT – MATHIEU DEUBCHY
France international Mathieu Debuchy has made no secret of his desire to leave the Emirates this month, to improve his chances of making it into Didier Deschamps’ squad for next summer’s European Championship.
The 30-year-old is a capable defender but he’s not really hit the heights expected since arriving from Newcastle United in summer 2014, going on to register just 22 appearances across all competitions and only two in the Premier League so far this season, due to a combination of injury problems and Hector Bellerin’s unexpected rise.
Debuchy is keen to go out on loan before re-evaluating his future with the Gunners after Euro 2016 and plenty of clubs appear to be interested.
IN – NOLITO
Arsenal have been linked with Celta Vigo star Nolito since the start of the season and the latest rumours claim they’re now at the front of the queue for his signature.
The Spaniard was always highly-regarded throughout prior spells with Benfica and Granada but has drastically upped his game since moving to Balaidos in summer 2013, going on to net 34 goals in 81 La Liga outings from the left wing.
He’s a creative presence as well, bagging five goals in 15 league appearances this term whilst conjuring up 2.9 unconverted chances per match, and resultantly seems like a decent fit for Arsenal’s style of play.
At 29 years of age, Nolito doesn’t offer much longevity, but his contract includes an incredibly cheap £14million release clause.
OUT – ALEX IWOBI (loan)
Alex Iwobi produced a solid performance against Sunderland in the FA Cup earlier this month and has been issued seven outings across all competitions thus far this season – so he’s clearly on the fringes of Arsene Wenger’s first team plans.
But with Alexis Sanchez on the mend, Joel Campbell producing decent displays, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impacting from the bench and Danny Welbeck soon to return, it remains to be seen how many more opportunities the 19-year-old winger-forward will get in the second half of the season – especially considering the Gunners will be honing in on the Premier League title.
A loan move seems a logical scenario and plenty of Championship clubs have been linked in recent weeks.
