Arsenal ‘working overtime’ to seal four January signings – Transfer guru
Arsenal are plotting a move to sign a new centre-back as part of a potential spending spree in the January transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Gunners are considering a number of options to add depth to their defence.
He went on to explain that there are multiple positions which have been highlighted for improvement in Mikel Arteta’s side given their struggles with injuries this season.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White have all missed games through injury this season, exposing the lack of strength in depth in their squad.
Jakub Kiwior was chosen to fill in at centre-back against both Man United and Fulham, but his below-par display in the latter led to calls for a new defender to be signed.
Brown insists Arsenal’s scouting team have already been looking for potential additions in that position, as well as on the wing, up front, and in midfield.
Arsenal set for January spending spree as four targets named
The Gunners’ injury issues have displayed the holes in their squad, as the side have missed key players during their spells on the sidelines due to the lack of like-for-like replacements.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that Arteta must add further depth to his squad, and the club are already working on deals.
“I expect them to be active in January,” he told Football Insider.
“The transfer team have been working overtime to identify replacements in key positions.
“Given the injury issues Arsenal have had this season, they are prioritising deals for players who can step in to cover key players if worst comes to worst.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen – looks what’s happened to Michail Antonio, you can’t legislate for something like that, but you have to plan for all eventualities.
“Arsenal have been assessing their squad to see which positions need to be strengthened.
“From my understanding, it will be a new centre-back, a striker, a winger and a midfielder.
“Those are the areas they want to strengthen and add cover, whether it’s a first-team player or an improvement on their current backup options.”
In other news, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Dusan Vlahovic’s availability.
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