Arsenal transfer latest: Gunners ‘should sign’ Doucoure, James Rodriguez update, Aissa Mandi a target and approach to Manchester United for Eric Bailly
We have entered the final week of the January transfer window and Arsenal have still not signed a single player.
Unai Emery, the club’s manager, has already revealed Arsenal cannot bring anyone in on a permanent basis this month, though loan deals are being discussed.
Rumours have emerged claiming Arsenal want various targets to arrive at the Emirates before the end of January, but who could be signed by the Gunners?
talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news concerning the ins and outs that could take place at Arsenal over the final week of January, below…
Abdoulaye Doucoure move backed
Arsenal ‘should sign’ Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, according to club legend Paul Merson.
Doucoure has been linked with leaving Vicarage Road with both Paris Saint-Germain and Everton interested in his services, but Merson thinks it is Arsenal who should be swooping for the midfielder.
Merson told Sky Sports: “They should sign Abdoulaye Doucoure at Watford – he’d walk into the team. I’d take him tomorrow morning.
“He’s a much better player than Torreira and he scores goals. He’s one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League – he could play for any of the top six.”
Denis Suarez move close
Suarez edges closer to sealing a loan switch to Arsenal, having been left out Barcelona’s squad for their previous two matches.
The midfielder, 25, also teased the move by ‘liking’ an Instagram post which concerned Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat of Chelsea over the weekend.
Reports last week appeared to suggest Suarez’s move have fallen through, but it is believed the deal is still on with a week left to be completed.
James Rodriguez could move to England
Arsenal want to sign Colombia midfielder Rodriguez on loan, taking over the terms of his current loan deal from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich.
And, according to the Daily Mail, his father claims Rodriguez could be heading to England some time in the future.
Reports in Spain claim Real Madrid would prefer Rodriguez to join Tottenham in exchange for Christian Eriksen, but Arsenal hope to capture him on a temporary basis before the end of the month.
Arsenal to cash in on Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey is alleged to have agreed a deal with Juventus to join the Italian club in the summer when his Arsenal contract expires, but he could complete a move to Serie A this month.
The Gunners are reportedly ready to cash in on Ramsey and sell him for as little as £10million, having previously demanded £22million for the Wales international.
Unai Emery will sanction the move should he complete two loan signings over the next week, with the aforementioned Suarez and Rodriguez his prime targets.
Aissa Mandi targeted
El Desmarque claim Arsenal are interested in Real Betis centre-back Aissa Mandi.
The 27-year-old Algeria international has played for Betis since 2016, having represented Reims beforehand, and is now being linked with a move to the Premier League.
Bringing a new central defender to the Emirates appears to be a priority for Unai Emery, though Arsenal will not be able to trigger Mandi’s £26million (€30m) release clause this month with no permanent signings possible.
Man United reject Arsenal approach
Arsenal made an enquiry over the potential loan signing of Eric Bailly, but saw their approach turned down by Manchester United.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Arsenal wanted to sign the centre-back – who has struggled for game time this season – ahead of the two teams facing off in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.
However, United chiefs rejected the approach as they do not want to engage in any transfer deals that could strengthen one of their Premier League rivals.