As the Premier League season reaches the half-way point, a significant transfer saga is slowly unfolding at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the Gunners’ potential participation in the Champions League next season, the squad’s ongoing injury crisis has highlighted the need for back-up options in key areas. Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kai Havertz, and Kieran Tierney have all suffered injuries at various points this season, exposing the team’s weaknesses.
Meanwhile, left-back Riccardo Calafiori’s injury and William Saliba’s red card, as well as another problem for Tomiyasu, have laid bare Arsenal’s lack of central defensive quality behind their traditional mainstay starters. The search for a skilled forward continues, with Arteta and Edu’s failed attempt to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko this summer still fresh in the minds of fans.
Italian outlet Calciomercato also reports that Juventus are attempting to negotiate a new contract with Dusan Vlahovic, who is being eyed by Arsenal. The Serbian striker, on a reported £192,000-per-week salary, is free to leave Turin in 2026, with his agent, Darko Ristic, recently spotted in the city further fueling speculation over his future.
Arsenal are said to be keen to make a move, potentially bidding £42 million for Atalanta’s Isak Hien, who has impressively performed in the early stages of the Italian season. Although there have been reports of other unnamed centre-forwards being linked to the club, Vlahovic’s reputation as a prolific goal-scorer makes him an attractive target for the Gunners.
As the January transfer window approaches, the future of Arsenal’s transfer plans remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Mikel Arteta’s team need reinforcements to compete with the best of the Premier League. With the club’s rumoured targets already generating significant interest, the coming weeks hold a lot of excitement for Gunners fans, as their team looks to bolster its squad for the challenges ahead.
