Arsenal transfer round-up: Gunners eye Dusan Vlahovic alternative and target Lyon star

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly looking to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the winter transfer window and has two targets in his sights

It has only been a matter of days since the January transfer window opened but already, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is keeping himself and sporting director Edu Gaspar occupied.

The Spaniard spent the most of any Premier League manager with a £150million spree over the summer on six new signings, including Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Odegaard and Ben White.

After a slow start to the Premier League season, the Gunners have propelled themselves up into the top-four and are in contention for a Champions League qualification spot.

But Arteta clearly believes there is still room for improvement in his squad as he finalises his plans for the Arsenal squad, with more additions likely before the January 31 deadline.

With doubts arising over the long-term futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the Spaniard is thought to be in the market for a striker.

And there could be departures from the red side of north London too, with a loan deal lined up for Folarin Balogun to join Middlesbrough,

Here is the latest transfer news and gossip coming out of the Emirates Stadium…

Arteta eyes Schick as Vlahovic alternative

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is pressing ahead with his plans to bring in a striker after submitting a bid for Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The 21-year-old has hit 16 goals in the Serie A this season for the Viola and is one of the most wanted frontmen in Europe.

It is understood the Gunners have launched a bid worth £46million plus Lucas Torreira, the Uruguayan who is currently on loan at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Arsenal are hoping that bid will be enough to convince Fiorentina to sell, with Vlahovic refusing to sign a new contract. However, they will face competition from Juventus, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund for the Serbian.

If they fail to land Vlahovic, Arteta has lined up a backup option in Bayer Leverkusen star Patrik Schick, who scored an incredible goal at Euro 2020 and already has 16 goals in the Bundesliga to his name this season.

According to 90min, the 25-year-old is viewed as a viable alternative and cheaper than Vlahovic, and Arsenal could move for the Czech if they miss out on Vlahovic.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Who should Arsenal sign in the January transfer window? Comment below.

Lyon star Guimaraes on Arsenal radar

Arsenal are set to battle it out with Everton and Newcastle in the race to sign Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, report The Evening Standard.

The Brazilian has produced some impressive performances in France since arriving from Atletico Paranense in 2019 and is now attracting interest from clubs around Europe.

Arsenal were thought to have been close to capturing the midfielder before he headed to Ligue 1, with the Gunners signing Thomas Partey instead.

But with doubts over Granit Xhaka’s future and Mohamed Elneny linked with a January switch, Mikel Arteta may need to sign a replacement.

Lyon are loathe to lose the 24-year-old in the current transfer window despite their prominent financial issues and would prefer a summer sale, with an offer near £40m perhaps enough to convince the French outfit to cash in.

Gunners quartet wanted by Newcastle

Arsenal’s bloated squad means that Arteta may need to bid farewell to some members of his squad in January — and Newcastle could be willing to help them out with moves for four players.

The Magpies are looking to make signings in January to help them avoid relegation from the Premier League, with Eddie Howe’s side currently in 19th.

The most high-profile of the unwanted quartet could be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gabonese striker who has fallen out of favour due to a disciplinary issue,

The 32-year-old is expected to leave the club in January after losing his place in the side and his grip on the captaincy, with Newcastle and Barcelona both interested in the striker.

But according to The Telegraph, Howe is also keen on bringing Rob Holding, Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny to St James' Park.

Nketiah, 22, is out of contract in the summer but Newcastle will likely make a move this month to sign the striker in a cut-price deal, rather than wait until the end of the season to agree a free transfer.