Arsenal 'enter race' with Liverpool to land £50m electric full-back after being 'priced out' of transfer

Arsenal are now preparing to return to action this weekend after their winter break last weekend. The Gunners should be fresh and ready to go for their clash with Crystal Palace, and they will have the chance to move within two points of leaders Liverpool with a win.

Mikel Arteta's men have struggled to find consistency of late, though, failing to see off teams they - on paper - should beat. This weekend should be an interesting test for that reason, but in the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Romano on Zirkzee

Arsenal are not likely to get their hands on reported target Joshua Zirkzee, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, He told Kick: “Zirkzee is a special player in Italy. He is doing fantastic at Bologna, but Bologna want crazy money to let Zirkzee leave in the January transfer window.

“Bayern have a buy-back clause, which is €40 million, but Bayern also have a 50 per cent sell-on clause. So, in their case, it will be a €20 million fee for Joshua Zirkzee. But, this is something that Bayern will decide in the summer, not now. Bologna are not letting the player leave now, they’ve been very clear in public and in private. I think only a crazy, crazy proposal could change this story. Again, it’s for Arsenal, it’s for Chelsea, it’s for many other clubs, the problem is, for example also with Newcastle, is with Financial Fair Play. Financial Fair Play is creating an issue.”

Ait-Nouri race

Arsenal are said to be chasing a deal to sign Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri, but they have company. According to Football Transfers, the Gunners are battling Liverpool to land the Algerian international.

Wolves are said to be asking for at least £50million to sell Ait-Nouri, which means a summer deal is more likely as far as Arsenal are concerned. The wing-back is still only 22 years of age, but he has already racked up 48 league appearances for Wolves.