£80m Duran transfer, Cunha deal, Sesko decision – Arsenal’s dream attack after January window

The clock is ticking for Arsenal to sign a new striker before the end of the January transfer window. Mikel Arteta’s side could dip into the market to add another frontman ahead of next Monday’s deadline.

They have just six days to complete their winter business and a new No.9 is said to be the priority target position. Gabriel Jesus is out of the season and beyond with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, while Kai Havertz, who is Arsenal’s only recognised senior striker fit and available right now, has struggled for consistent form.

Speaking last Friday, Arteta stressed the need for the Gunners to strengthen up front. “My opinion is clear,” the Spaniard said when asked about the need for Arsenal to sign a forward. “We lost two very important players, in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people and options in the front-line.

Sesko, 21, a proven goal-scorer during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, has netted 14 times in 27 matches this season. He has a gentleman’s agreement in his contract, which allows him to depart Leipzig for £60million in the summer. However, the Gunners could attempt to sign him this month instead.

Cunha, 25, has an uncertain future with Wolves and has attracted interest from the Gunners, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa so far in January. The Brazilian has been a standout for the west midlands club this season, scoring 10 goals and adding four assists in 23 games. He would be an excellent signing for Arsenal.

Duran, 21, is the most exciting pick of the quartet named. The Colombian, valued at £80million, has 12 goals in 29 appearances this season, with SIX of those coming as a substitute. He has the potential to become a world-class striker in the future and his ceiling is unmatched. What an addition he would be.

Ferguson, 20, would be an interesting choice if the Gunners can sign him from Brighton, who are willing to allow the Republic of Ireland international to leave on a permanent deal this month. Ferguson has scored 17 goals in 79 matches for Brighton, and has the physical and technical qualities to impress for Arsenal.

If there was one that does seem the most perfect fit, then Duran is the man. He has significant Premier League experience, is at a good age, has been bang-in-form for Villa, and he’s a recognised centre forward. That would represent the “dream” forward signing for Arteta before the end of the month.

While it’s not certain that one is going to come through the door, it’s even more unlikely that the Gunners could sign two attackers. Should one be signed, Cunha is the second-best option out of those.

Barça NewsBarcelona manager sets clear transfer demand but exits required first

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is keen to strengthen his squad by signing a forward before the winter transfer window closes on February 3.

While Barcelona have not made any signings yet this month, there are still discussions about potential reinforcements before the window shuts.

Flick is generally satisfied with the squad he has at his disposal, but he has openly stated that an additional striker would be valuable, especially with a busy schedule ahead.

Barcelona will be competing for multiple titles in the coming months, and having extra depth in attack is crucial, particularly considering the possibility of injuries.

Who are the targets?

This is where the name of Marcus Rashford has come up. The English forward is looking to leave Manchester United, and his representatives have offered him to Barcelona.

The club has expressed interest in the player and has even shared the amount they could pay him for the remainder of the season. However, no contact has been made with Manchester United as of now.

Rashford is willing to lower his salary to make his dream move to Barcelona a reality. He is waiting for the club to create the necessary salary space for his signing.

What is Barcelona planning?

To facilitate this, Barcelona is already working on player departures, and the recent move of Unai Hernandez to Saudi Arabia has helped improve the club’s financial situation.

However, more departures are still needed, with Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen’s names being discussed.

It seems that Christensen is the more likely player to leave. The Danish defender has not featured for Barcelona since the opening day of La Liga, and his contract runs until 2026, but he is not expected to be offered a renewal.

Barcelona Golden Boy duo to sign their contract renewals this week – Report

The final week of January is now upon Barcelona, and the team hopes to finish the month on a positive note. Thus, the upcoming game against Italian side Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League will be an important one. At least for momentum, it will be a game that Barcelona would want to win.

However, this final week of January will also be significant for another reason. It seems that the Catalan giants are hopeful about wrapping up some pending contract renewals as well following their success with tying down Ronald Araujo until 2031 with a new deal.

However, Barça are now turning their attention towards two of their Golden Boys. Spanish midfielders Pedri and Gavi currently have contracts that do not have a lot of time left in them before they expire. As a result of that, Barcelona are hoping to change that as soon as possible.

Spaniards sign their new deals this week. Agreements have already been reached and all involved parties are aware of what to expect from each other. Thus, Barcelona must think that they can now go through with the official procedures.

In Pedri’s case, a verbal agreement had reportedly already been reached. Now, with Gavi’s yes as well, Barcelona can formalize everything and take things to the next level. Stability is a necessity at such a massive club, and these renewals will ideally offer just that.

The renewals in question are reportedly going to tie down both players until 2030 at the club. Pedri, already a Barcelona captain, and Gavi, who hails from La Masia, both have a strong connection to the Catalan club and it seems that the club itself wants to retain them both for the years to come.

Barcelona yet to submit formal bid for star winger despite recent meetings

Barcelona’s interest in Marcus Rashford has been clear, but the club has yet to make a formal offer to Manchester United for the forward.

While Barcelona are eager to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, they are cautious about making an official approach until they can offload some players to make room for Rashford’s arrival.

The club is working hard this week to create the necessary salary space to accommodate a new signing, with Rashford being the top target.

Barcelona’s management has communicated their intent to the player’s representatives, but the deal is unlikely to happen until the final hours of the transfer window.

The club has already prepared a maximum proposal for Rashford’s loan, but they are holding off on submitting it to Manchester United until they are certain they can register him in time.

Barcelona are clear about Rashford

So far, Rashford is the only option Barcelona have pursued in this transfer window to bolster their attack.

The player himself has shown willingness to join the club, even suggesting that he would be open to making a financial effort to help facilitate the move.

Barcelona have already outlined the financial terms they are prepared to meet for the remainder of the season, with Manchester United expected to cover the rest of the cost, or the player may contribute from his own pocket.

A recent meeting in Lisbon between Barcelona and Rashford’s representatives confirmed the club’s interest in the English forward and reaffirmed that he would wait until the last day of the transfer window for a potential move.

However, Barcelona’s sporting department did not make any promises, as everything hinges on whether they can offload a player before the deadline.

Arsenal transfer news LIVE – Alexander Isak ‘offer’, Sverre Nypan latest, Lewis-Skelly update

With less than 10 days left of the winter transfer window, Arsenal are yet to make a significant move. However, it is understood that the club are actively working on at least one deal.

the Gunners have set their sights on Sverre Nypan and are striving to offer the most appealing career path to the 18-year-old midfielder. But they’re not alone in their pursuit, with Manchester City also showing strong interest.

The City Football Group’s network of clubs could potentially offer more opportunities for senior playtime. But the influence of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard could prove crucial in negotiations with the Norway under-21 international.

In addition to Nypan, Arsenal are reportedly still keen on securing a striker, with Benjamin Sesko remaining on their radar. Matheus Cunha has also been linked with a January move to the Emirates, although Wolverhampton Wanderers’ head coach Vitor Pereira insists the player is not up for sale.

Carragher gives Arsenal, Chelsea transfer boost as Aston Villa urged into £60m sale

Jamie Carragher believes that Aston Villa cannot continue with two top-quality strikers in their squad and favours a sale for Jhon Duran, who is being targeted by both Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Colombian has enjoyed a breakout season in the Premier League, earning himself a reputation as a ‘super sub’ and a clinical finisher after his 12 goals in 29 games.

His quality of finishing has been heavily praised as he has proven to be more than capable of producing one-touch finishes at will as well as outlandish strikes from distance – with his goals against Everton and Bayern Munich both standout moments.

And yet, he sits behind star striker Ollie Watkins in the pecking order, starting just four times in the league and averaging just 36 minutes per appearance.

Watkins has 80 goals and 34 assists in 200 games for the club after signing from Brentford and has developed into one of the league’s best forwards.

Unai Emery has rarely started them together and in the 35 games in which they’ve been on the pitch together, they have managed just eight goals.

Carragher spoke about Duran during the Sky Sports coverage of the Premier League on Sunday, claiming that it would be best for all parties if he left the club.

Arsenal told to sell £77m duo to fund game-changing summer transfer deal for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal hero Alan Smith has called on the Gunners to part with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to fund a move for Newcastle United ace Alexander Isak. The Swede has enjoyed a prolific season on Tyneside, registering 19 goals and five assists in 25 games in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s men.

Earlier in the month, Isak was a key figure in the Magpies recording a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie between the sides. The 25-year-old was in the right place to emphatically convert in the first half as he put Newcastle on their way to a very impressive result in the capital.

At a time when Arsenal are lacking a proven goalscorer to drag them kicking and screaming to a first Premier League title since 2004, Isak has been heavily linked with a move to north London. Amid reports that interested clubs could have to part with more than £150million for Newcastle to even consider selling their prize asset, Smith believes the sales of Jesus and Zinchenko, who were signed for £45million and £32million respectively, could help boost Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal transfer kitty if they are to move for Isak.

Clearly in need of that world-class striker to help Arsenal really challenge for major honours on a consistent basis, Smith has stated that Isak should be their first-choice target.

Five transfers Arsenal could still complete this week before the January window closes

With just a week left until the January transfer window closes, the pressure is on for Arsenal to close deals – both for incoming players, and those who are leaving the club.

Manager Mikel Arteta has been open about the club’s need for forwards due to losing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to injury. He said on Friday: “We lack goals, we lack people, we lack options in the frontline, it’s clear.”

He added: “It’s clear that for the period that we have lost them, ideally we need some help, because we were short already and we’re even shorter. The team has still coped with that but we have do what is right for the club.” However, Arteta insisted they would not be looking at signing just any player. “We need someone that makes us better and makes an impact on the team,” he said.

Arsenal are said to be in the race to sign Matheus Cunha, the 25-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers striker. a £60million bid could be enough for Wolves to sell the Brazilian, but manager Vitor Pereira has previously remained certain that Cunha was committed to his current club.

Pereira said: “He is committed to Wolves But in your life when you start to listen that other clubs (are interested), he’s human and it’s normal in football. He needs to put his mind on the target, to increase his level because he’s come from injury and it’s normal he’s not at the same level now.”

Arsenal are also said to be in discussions over signing Sverre Nypan, the 18-year-old midfielder from Trondheim, Norway. Talks are said to have opened and Nypan was seen in London this week. However, Manchester City are also said to have their sights on the midfielder.

Arsenal make huge £70m transfer decision as Alexander Isak ‘offer’ prepared

Arsenal face a decisive final week of the January transfer window to help bolster Mikel Arteta’s fatigued squad. The Gunners are yet to welcome any new signings despite major injury issues, particularly in attack, leaving Arteta light in a number of areas.

As was evidenced by Kai Havertz falling to the floor in exhaustion after starting an eighth consecutive game, a new attacker arriving at Emirates Stadium is vital. Any of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko or Alexander Isak coming in currently appears unlikely with a fresh update on the latter emerging.

Despite it appearing rather important that depth is added at the top end of the pitch, the Gunners may well be eyeing further defensive reinforcements. Given the expected exit of Kieran Tierney along with the uncertain futures surrounding Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu, it is perhaps not a terrible move.

Arsenal ‘step up’ Quenda interest

Arsenal are said to have stepped up efforts to sign Sporting CP star Geovany Quenda, with Manchester United also interested. The 17-year-old has a £70million (€83m) release clause in his contract with numerous European clubs, including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, keeping tabs on his progress.

The Gunners are one of those with Fichajes claiming they are watching him closely and are preparing to make a move in the coming months.

Arsenal keen on Botafogo striker Igor Jesus

Nottingham Forest have joined Arsenal in the pursuit of Botafogo striker Igor Jesus, according to Diario AS journalist Eduardo Burgos.

The City Ground club owner Evangelos Marinakis has spoken directly with his Botafogo counterpart John Textor over what it would take to land the €30 million-rated forward, and former Gunners sporting director Edu Gaspar will be facing his old club directly in the pursuit of his compatriot.

The one-time Arsenal midfielder is set to start overseeing the network of clubs owned by Marinakis, including Forest, and he is now working to sign Jesus.

The ‘exceptional’ Brazilian has attracted plenty of bigwigs in Europe following an impressive spell in his country, which has resulted in four caps for Brazil.

Arsenal are looking to bolster their attacking ranks for the second half of 2024-25, and Jesus has been on their radar for a while.

He bagged 17 goals in 26 games for UAE Pro League club Shabab Al Ahli in 2023-24 before joining Botafogo in July 2024, where he has since notched eight goals in 31 appearances.

Jesus played a key role as his club won the Brazilian Serie A title and Copa Libertadores (South American equivalent of the Champions League) in 2024, and landing such a striker could provide a much-needed boost for Arsenal in the title race this season and going forward.

He will be desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and could be open to joining the Gunners if they table a tangible offer before the end of the January transfer window.