Arsenal 'consider' red-hot Premier League forward as Alan Shearer issues transfer verdict

Arsenal are now preparing for an FA Cup date with Manchester United on Sunday after losing to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. The Gunners will be hoping to bounce back as they look to keep another avenue to silverware alive against the struggling Red Devils.

In the meantime, Mikel Arteta and his staff will be examining possible transfer opportunities now that the window is open. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Shearer on Arsenal needs

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer has named the type of signing Arsenal need to get back into the thick of the Premier League title race. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said: “I do like (Kai) Havertz, yeah, but I go back to what I said in August, that I still feel as if that’s the one position that Arsenal are missing is a main-centre forward.

“That’s why I said that if they were to get one of those then I would be really confident that would they would win the league.” The Gunners have been linked with a striker signing, although the right opportunity would have to present itself.

Mbuemo an option

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Brentford forward Bryan Mbuemo, who has been in electric form this season. The Frenchman is among the Premier League’s top scorers with 13 league goals to date.

Florian Plettenburg has tweeted: “Understand that Bryan #Mbeumo is on #Arsenal’s shortlist for a potential summer transfer. The Gunners are looking to strengthen their wing position. #Brentford’s star player is under contract until 2026, with 13 goals and 3 assists in the current Premier League season.”

Edu’s leaving motive

Arsenal boss Arteta’s presence at the club was a leading cause of sporting director Edu deciding to leave the club, according to Duncan Castles. “Arteta went into the season in his strongest position of power ever at the club, having been handed a new three-year contract in September, Castles told The Boot Room

That contract, I’m told, was one of the key reasons why Edu resigned his position as sporting director to take up a broader position with Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, the multi-club group, because he wasn’t happy with Arteta’s increasing authority at the club.”