Arsenal fans, if you’re hoping for some mega transfer deals in January, don’t get your hopes high, as reports suggest Arsene Wenger is unlikely to spend heavy in the upcoming transfer window.
Matt Hughes of The Times, wrote last month that Wenger will be given a transfer budget of around £20m, where the Frenchman would be looking to sign a midfielder and a defender. On top of it, Arsenal are looking to recoup some money through player sales which could be used in new recruits. Already, Lukas Podolski has been sent on loan to Inter Milan (frees up the wage) and there could be few more departures, with the likes of Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell could leave the club.
Yesterday, Matt Hughes gave an update on Arsenal transfer situations in The Times, where he mentions that Arsenal’s improving injury situations could limit the club’s transfer activity this month.
Arsène Wenger says @Arsenal “have many solutions up front” and he is happy with his options http://t.co/g89fLXYKYk pic.twitter.com/KJYE4iR5s8
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 6, 2015
German midfield maestro Mesut Ozil is back in full training and is close to returning to the first team squad from the knee ligament injury. Mathieu Flamini is also in contention to make a comeback shortly to face Stoke City at the Emirates on Sunday.
Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey are unlikely to feature this weekend, but next weekend’s trip to Manchester City is a more realistic target for them.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a dead leg inthe 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Hull City, but Wenger confirmed the injury isn’t serious, and the England international would be fit to play against Stoke.
Wenger believes the “knock to the knee” suffered by Ox-Chamberlain yesterday was “nothing serious” #AFC — PhysioRoom.com (@physioroom) January 5, 2015
Mikel Arteta will be back within couple of weeks, leaving Jack Wilshere as the only senior player to miss the actions. Matt Hughes writes:
“If that situation remains unchanged, Wenger believes that he has enough midfielders to cope for the rest of the season and will restrict his transfer activity this month to searching for a centre back to provide cover for Laurent Koscielny, whose ongoing calf and achilles problems continue to limit his involvement.
Wenger is instinctively against short-term signings, particularly if they come at a premium, which is why his long-term interest in Winston Reid, of West Ham United, is unlikely to be acted upon.”
Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin says Arsenal have made an approach for him: http://t.co/8jmCsjM2CN #AFC pic.twitter.com/cq3uTZxbRC
— ESPN.co.uk (@ESPNUK) January 5, 2015
As it stands, Arsenal probably won’t be needing a central midfielder in January. The Gunners has been recently linked with a move for St Etienne captain Loic Perrin, who claimed that Arsenal have contacted him personally, but no agreement has been reached, as of now.
To be fair to Wenger, Arsenal probably do not need any more midfielders in January, if they manage to get all their top players fit.
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