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Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mesut Ozil, Wilfried Zaha, Emiliano Buendia, Omar Rekik, Folarin Balogun latest

Mikel Arteta is exploring all options with the need to sell in order to bring in new signings

Callum Rice-Coates
Friday 08 January 2021 16:43 GMT
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Mesut Ozil del Arsenal
Mesut Ozil del Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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Arsenal remain active in the January transfer window with Mikel Arteta moving closer to wielding the axe and prepared to sanction up to eight sales as he reshapes his squad to his liking at the Emirates.

That could mean the Gunners move on the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Callum Chambers, Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock, Mesut Ozil, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sead Kolasinac, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Lucas Torreira. While Granit Xhaka and Alexandre Lacazette could yet find themselves elsewhere come the summer. There have been better signs on the pitch ahead of the FA Cup this weekend though, following a 4-0 win at West Bromwich Albion, with Arteta’s side moving away from the bottom of the table and now up to 11th in the Premier League table. This month could yet prove crucial to where Arsenal finish under the Spaniard though, with European football required to maintain the momentum of his revolution in north London.

But their business over the course of the next few weeks could prove pivotal to their chances, with the winter window now wide open for teams to buy and sell. Arsenal completed numerous deals in the summer, including Willian, Gabriel and Dani Ceballos, while that trio was joined by Thomas Partey on deadline day. There could be exciting opportunities ahead with Edu’s relationship with Kia Joorabchian, while one of Arteta’s main priorities will be to shift Mesut Ozil, who remains frozen out at the Emirates.

A deal for Isco has been in the works with Real Madrid open to selling, but that deal could rely on the Gunners creating space in the squad and easing the burden on the club’s wage bill. Defender Sead Kolasinac has returned to Germany with a loan move to Schalke with many more including defenders Shkodran Mustafi and William Saliba and even Mesut Ozil possible departures before the deadline.

We will have all the latest Arsenal news, rumours and gossip - on both comings and goings - throughout the day.

DRAXLER ‘BEHIND BRANDT’ ON ARSENAL SHORTLIST

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 12:08

OZIL TO ‘HOLD TALKS’ WITH AGENT TODAY

Mesut Ozil will discuss his future with his agent today, according to football.london.

The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Fenerbahce after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that a transfer could be beneficial for both club and player.

Ozil's meeting with his agent will allow the Germany international to consider offers from several clubs, including DC United and teams in Italy and Qatar.

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 11:57

MACEY ON HIBS MOVE

Matt Macey has revealed his excitement after joining Hibernian from Arsenal on an initial six-month deal.

“I’m really excited to get going,” he told the Hibernian website.

“I spoke to the gaffer [Jack Ross] and Craig Samson but, to be honest, my mind was already made up to come.

“I’m grateful for every experience I had at Arsenal but I’m hungry to play first-team football. I know that won’t be handed to me here, so it’s up to me to show what I can do in training and take it from there.

“No-one has to tell me what a big club Hibernian is, in a competitive league. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 11:40

MACEY LEAVES FOR HIBS

Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Macey has joined Hibernian…

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 11:26

MUSTAFI OFFERED TO INTER

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has been offered to Inter as the Gunners look to offload one of their fringe players.

FCInterNews claim the Germany international was made available to Nerazzurri boss Antonio Conte on Thursday after rejected approaches from Genoa, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

Inter are said to be considering a move for Mustafi after a long-term injury to centre-back Danilo D’Ambrosio.

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 11:14

OZIL’S UNCLE HOPEFUL OF FENERBAHCE MOVE

Mesut Ozil's uncle has backed a potential move for the Arsenal midfielder to Fenerbahce.

The Germany international appears to be edging closer to an exit, and the Turkish club are amongst the favourites to sign him.

“It’s very flattering," Ozil's uncle, Cevdet Ozil, told Turkish outlet DHA. "He is playing in Europe. He said one day he’d play football at Turkish club, at Fenerbahce.

“Hopefully, he’ll come play in our Turkey. I wish him success.”

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 10:55

AGENT OF STRIKER LINKED WITH ARSENAL REVEALS WEST HAM TALKS

The agent of Reims striker Boulaye Dia has admitted that talks have been held over a potential move to West Ham.

The 24-year-old has been linked with Arsenal and Everton, but it is the Hammers who appear to be the most proactive of the interested parties.

“We talked a lot last month with West Ham,” Dia's agent, Frederic Guerra. told Le 10 Sport. “But we haven’t moved forward.

“He’s a player that interests them. Especially with the situation with Covid, offers are rare during the winter window.

“We’re asking these questions, whether it’s better to leave now or this summer. Of course it’s safe to accept West Ham this winter but it’s also closing doors for this summer.

“Italian clubs are interested, so are clubs in Spain and Germany. If you choose West Ham, you give up on the others.”

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 10:40

Mikel Arteta reveals latest on Folarin Balogun’s Arsenal future

The teenager’s contract is due to expire in the summer

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 10:10

OZIL’S ARSENAL CAREER ‘COMING TO AN END’

Mesut Ozil is unlikely to ever play for Arsenal again as speculation grows over a January move to Fenerbahce.

In an interview with Sky Sports, reporter David Ornstein said: “Arsenal’s ownership, the Kroenkes, totally support Mikel Arteta and Edu on this. They say it’s football reasons, Mesut Ozil probably disagrees.

“But the reality is that it is coming to an end. Neither Ozil or Arsenal expect him to registered if he does indeed stay beyond this transfer window. It does seem to be done.”

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 09:52

ZAHA REVEALS ARSENAL INTEREST

Crystal Palace winger has revealed he had discussions with former Arsenal boss Unai Emery over a possible move to the Emirates.

“I had a conversation with the manager," the 28-year-old said on Jamie Carragher’s The Greatest Game Podcast.

“Emery was just like, ‘we don’t really need to go through much’. He said he’d seen me play, he knows I can change games at any time and stuff like that. He was like, ‘yeah we’d love to have you’ and I was just like, ‘yeah I’d love to come’.

“The conversation was rather straightforward because I played against him when he was manager of Arsenal. He saw what I could do, saw my work-rate, and what I could add to the team.

“Obviously, it was up to the club who they chose - and they chose Pepe over me.”

Callum Rice-Coates8 January 2021 09:38

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