Arsenal 'consider' recalling £30m attacker as alternative to Matheus Cunha, Victor Osimhen or Benjamin Sesko
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal could recall a £30m attacking midfielder in the January transfer window.
Arsenal are in need of more depth in attacking areas considering the injuries that the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka have suffered in the past month.
Jesus is set to miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury, and Saka isn’t expected to return for the Gunners until March at the earliest depending on how well his recovery goes.
Mikel Arteta will be keen for his side to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend after they drew 2-2 against Aston Villa last week, leaving them six points away from leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Recent reports have suggested that the Gunners could recall a player who is out on loan in order to boos their squad depth in attacking areas, a much cheaper alternative to signing the likes of Matheus Cunha, Victor Osimhen or Benjamin Sesko, whom Arsenal have all been linked with this month.
Fabio Vieira could make Arsenal return amid loan recall
Attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira is currently on loan at Portuguese side Porto, which is where Arsenal bought him from for a fee of £30m in July 2022. Since then, he has struggled for regular game time at the Emirates, making just 49 appearances for the Gunners, with 12 goals and 20 assists.
This season, Vieira has made 20 appearances in all competitions for Porto, scoring two goals and contributing two assists. However, it could be that we see him return to the Premier League as Arsenal look to improve their attacking options in January.
Arteta hinted ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb that they could recall Vieira this month, to improve their attacking depth amid the injuries to Saka and Jesus.
He said in his pre-match press conference: “There were certain possibilities with the Fabio situation. We’re exploring all of the things that we can do, just in case we cannot do them as well, how the injuries are progressing and when we’re going to have them available.”
However, following Arteta’s comments about Vieira, Portuguese news outlet O Jogo has claimed that Porto’s position is clear, and they they are insistent that they don’t want Vieira to return to Arsenal, and want him to complete his loan deal until the summer window.
Arsenal learn hefty price tag for transfer target striker
The Gunners have been heavily linked to RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, however, a summer transfer looks more likely rather than a move this month. Furthermore, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been linked, although because he is on loan at Galatasaray, that creates more complication in completing a deal this month.
Wolves striker Matheus Cunha is yet to sign a new contract at Molineux, and seems to be the most likely signing of the three should the Gunners add a striker in January. However, recent reports have suggested that Wolves are demanding a fee of around £80m for Cunha.
The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this season, but his price tag is hefty. He has also reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal’s unexpected title rivals, Nottingham Forest.