Arsenal are looking to bring in a cut-price star and improve their squad midseason
(Image credit: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Arsenal could be about to close in on their first January recruit on a cut-price deal.
The Gunners' unbeaten run to the season ended at the weekend controversially, as Mikel Arteta's side were beaten by a goal that saw three VAR checks away at Newcastle United. The Basque boss opted for Kai Havertz starting in Martin Odegaard's absence, with Declan Rice and Jorginho completing the midfield.
The centre of the pitch has been a point of contention all season for Arsenal, with Granit Xhaka having left over the summer – and now, it appears that Arteta may be about to address that imbalance with his first signing of the next transfer window.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Spanish outlet Sport has claimed Arthur Vermeeren is ready to arrive in a deal worth under £15 million.
The Royal Antwerp teenager has been courting attention from both the north Londoners and Barcelona following an impressive rise – and now, the report claims that the Gunners are "closing in on a deal".
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Arsenal look incredibly light in midfield this season, following Xhaka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles leaving, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Charlie Patino going on loan and Thomas Partey struggling with injury. Declan Rice is the first-choice No.6 but has had to play at No.8, too, with Jorginho coming in to help with buildup in recent weeks.
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Vermeeren can play as a No.6 but is best deployed as a No.8. He could well be used as an option ahead of Rice, alongside Odegaard, Fabio Vieira or Kai Havertz.
Arthur Vermeeren is being chased by Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arteta is said to also be in the market for a striker this winter.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
