Arsenal ‘interested’ in former player who is out of contract at Premier League rivals this summer

Arsenal appear to be closing in on their first signing of the January transfer window with Brighton’s Leandro Trossard widely reported to be close to a £20 million plus transfer to North London.

The Gunners’ supporters have had to be patient in this window, especially with Chelsea swooping in to snatch Mykhailo Mudryk from under their noses, but will no doubt be excited to see what the Belgian attacker can add to Mikel Arteta’s squad. Meanwhile, further transfer news suggests the club could also be lining up a move for a former youth academy player who has been impressing at one of their Premier League rivals.

Per a report from the Daily Mail, Arsenal are said to be interested in Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony as Mikel Arteta looks to add further wide options to his squad. The now 23-year old spent ten years in Arsenal’s academy, alongside the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, before joining the Cherries in 2016.

Anthony was impressive in their 2021/22 EFL Championship season as he scored eight goals in 45 appearances, helping Bournemouth to promotion in second place. This season he has adapted to the Premier League well and has managed two goals in his ten outings as well as one in the FA Cup.

A crucial aspect of any potential move could be that the winger is out of contract in the summer and it is reported tha renewal talks have not seen the club and player come to an agreement yet. If they are unable to strike a deal then the Cherries may look to cash in now while they can or the Gunners could swoop in for a free transfer in the summer.

It’s not just his boyhood club that are said to be monitoring the situation though, with Leicester City also thought to be keeping an eye on proceedings as are German Bundesliga sides Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. However, a return to North London may be appealing to the Hackney born attacker, while his relatively young age and home grown status would certainly appeal to Mikel Arteta and his recruitment staff.