Alexander Isak to Arsenal transfer ‘close’ as Gunners eye surprise PSG raid

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could be set to splash the cash again this month with the Gunners reportedly eyeing a long-term replacement for Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang

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Arsenal v Man City: Match in pictures

Arsenal were the Premier League’s biggest spenders in the summer – and they could be set to splash the cash again in January to boost their bid to finish in the top four.

Despite the absence of Mikel Arteta, the Gunners put in an impressive display against champions Manchester City in Saturday’s late 2-1 defeat.

Arsenal may have come away empty-handed, but their performance was further evidence of the progress that the north Londoners have made under Arteta this year.

The Spaniard now has the perfect opportunity to fine-tune his squad over the next month to give the Gunners a fighting chance of bringing Champions League football back to the Emirates after a five-year absence.

Here Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest Arsenal transfer news…

Gunners win Isak race

JOIN THE DEBATE! Do you think Isak would be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know in the comments here.

Given the recent controversy surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it should come as no surprise that Arteta is scouring the market for a long-term replacement for the Gabon star.

Swedish striker Alexander Isak has been linked with the Gunners on a persistent basis, and a new report from El Nacional now claims that Arsenal have won the race for the Real Sociedad hitman.

The report states that Sociedad had blocked Isak from completing a switch to La Liga rivals Barcelona – with the Gunners reportedly “close” to taking advantage by sealing a deal for the 22-year-old.

Isak has netted 38 times for the Spanish side in 101 games since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019.

But the Bundesliga outfit would reportedly be willing to sell the striker for the right price.

Arsenal eye shock PSG raid

Paris Saint-Germain misfit Georginio Wijnaldum could be offered a speedy return to the Premier League by Arsenal, according to Four Four Two.

The report outlines that the Gunners are open to bolstering their midfield for the remainder of the season with a temporary deal for the ex-Liverpool ace.

Wijnaldum penned a bumper three-year deal with the French giants after his Anfield contract expired in the summer.

But he’s struggled to settle in Paris – and could now be drafted in as cover for Arsenal, who are set to lose midfield duo Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny for up to a month when the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off later this month.

Roma firm up Maitland-Niles interest

AS Roma have lodged a concrete proposal for Arsenal utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to The Athletic.

The Italian giants have submitted a loan bid for the Gunners midfielder with an option to wrap up a permanent deal in the summer.

According to the report, Roma are keen on striking a permanent deal for Maitland-Niles but don’t currently have the financial capacity to do so.

Jose Mourinho’s side are bidding to offload a trio of players — Pau Lopez, Justin Kluivert and Cengiz Under — over the next few months to try and raise the funds to bring the 24-year-old ace to Italy for good in the summer.

It remains to be seen if the Gunners have any appetite to facilitate a temporary exit for Maitland-Niles in January. Roma’s move comes just months after Arteta blocked an exit for the midfielder, who voiced his unhappiness at the club in the summer.