Arsenal ‘make move’ for long-term target as Champions League giants ‘in talks’ with Gunners star

Arsenal are now just days away from their return to Premier League action. The Gunners will host West Ham on Boxing Day, and are hoping to open up an eight-point gap at the summit of the table.

Recent history is on their side too, with Mikel Arteta’s men having last lost to the Hammers in January 2019 - an impressive unbeaten run of six matches. But before the two teams meet in north London, there is still plenty of transfer speculation to work through. Here is Thursday’s rumours roundup...

Gunners in Mudryk talks

Arsenal are ‘now in talks’ with both Shakhtar Donetsk and Mykhaylo Mudryk’s representatives ahead of a potential transfer, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs. The Gunners have been perpetually linked with a move for the Ukrainian in recent weeks ahead of the January transfer window.

And speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said: “Arsenal have made the move on Mudryk in the sense that they are now in talks with both Shakhtar and Mudryk’s representatives. The talks with Mudryk’s representatives are easy because Mudryk wants Arsenal; the negotiations with Shakhtar are a whole lot harder.”

The journalist’s comments come after the attacker admitted to him in an interview that he ‘couldn’t say no’ to the north London outfit should they try to prise him away from Shakhtar.

PSG chase Martinelli

Paris Saint-Germain are undestood to be pursuing a deal for Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli, with Brazilian superstar Neymar personally advocating for a transfer. According to Media Foot, the French giants have opened talks with the 21-year-old’s over a potential swoop.

Martinelli is out of contract in north London in 2024, although Spanish outlet Sport claim that he has already agreed an extension which would run until 2027. If so, it is highly likely that Media Foot’s update is erroneous.