Arsenal’s next transfer plans and how likely these seven deals are before January deadline

The January transfer window is in full swing with clubs all over the globe looking to tweak their squads in order to achieve their targets come the end of the season.

Arsenal are fighting to finish in the top four of the Premier League and are in the semi-finals of the League Cup - their only other piece of silverware up for grabs.

The Gunners are lacking in depth in midfield due to players being away on international duty, suspensions and allowing Ainsley Maitland-Niles to leave on loan.

Arsenal have been linked with multiple names during the winter window and Mikel Arteta’s side face competition from Europe’s elite to sign them.

However, that doesn’t stop the rumours of who the Gunners could sign this month.

With that being said, let’s take a look at seven names who could be in their transfer plans and how likely these deals are to happen before the January deadline.

Arthur Melo

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo during the winter window, with the Brazilian in his second season at Juventus.

If signed, Melo would slot into the holding-midfield role of Arteta’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, alongside either Granit Xhaka or Albert Lokonga due to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny representing Ghana and Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the clubs are in talks over the possibility of Melo joining the Gunners on loan this month.

However, Romano states that Juventus would first want to find a replacement for the Brazilian before agreeing to his departure.

The bookies suggest that this move is likely to happen, with odds of 1/4.

Dusan Vlahovic

Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic continues to be on Arsenal’s radar, with the north London club looking at the Serbian as a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who could be leaving the Gunners in the winter window.

Vlahovic has been in fine form for his Italian club, netting an impressive 18 goals in 22 appearances so far this season.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Arsenal could lose out on the forward due to rivals Chelsea also having interest in him.

They suggest that the Gunners could miss out on the Serbian due to Chelsea playing European football.

Despite this, odds of 5/4 make Arteta’s men favourites to sign him this month.

Gini Wijnaldum

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Gini Wijnaldum is a rumoured target of Arteta’s according to reports, with the Dutchman unsettled at the French club.

Wijnaldum is no stranger to the Premier League, having played for Newcastle United and most recently Liverpool, where he won the English top-flight and Champions League.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

According to SkySports presenter Kaveh Solhekol, the 31-year-old could make a switch to Arsenal due to the Gunners being one of Wijnaldum’s ‘favourite clubs’.

Solhekol said on the TV channel, via Football Daily: “I’ve been told Arsenal are one of his favourite clubs. Somebody quite close to me said that when he was growing up that he was an Arsenal supporter.

“So I think that he would be more than happy to play for Arsenal one day.

“I’m not going to say it’s going to happen this month. I’m not going to say it’s going to happen in the summer.

“But they are definitely, I’ve been told, a club that are close to his heart.”

With that news, the bookies have the Dutchman at 3/1 to join Arsenal this month.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium during the January transfer window, with the Everton forward another option to replace Aubameyang if the latter departs.

Calvert-Lewin has just returned from a fractured toe injury, thus only making four appearances for the Toffees this season.

His form from the previous campaign, alongside him being an England international, would likely mean the Gunners will have to pay a sizeable fee for his signature.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

Given we are half-way through the January window and his recent return to match fitness, it is unlikely the 24-year-old will join Arsenal this month.

However, if Aubameyang does depart and with Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Arteta could be forced to explore the option of signing Calvert-Lewin in the winter window.

According to the bookies, the Gunners are priced at 5/1 to sign the forward.

Ollie Watkins

The forward position is one that is heavily rumoured to be one of Arteta’s main focuses this month and Ollie Watkins is another name linked to the club.

Watkins can play as a striker or on either wing, but would likely lead the line for Arsenal if he were signed.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

According to ESPN, Arteta is a big fan of Watkins, but the likelihood of a move materialising this month is low.

However, that doesn’t mean the Spaniard will give up hope of signing the forward in the summer.

As a result, there are odds of 7/1 for the Gunners to sign Watkins during the winter window.

Aaron Ramsey

A potential reunion could be on the cards for Arsenal and Aaron Ramsey as the Welsh international is being linked with a move back to North London.

The Juventus midfielder is said to be a target for Arteta’s side according to Spanish publication Marca.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has said Ramsey can leave the Italian club this month, as per WalesOnline.

Given the comments and Arsenal’s need for a centre-midfielder, it would make sense for the club to explore the option of bringing the Welshman back to the Emirate Stadium, with odds  of 8/1 on this to happen.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Another former Gunners’ midfielder linked to the club during the January transfer window is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The 28-year-old left Arsenal for Liverpool in 2017, but could make a surprise return this month.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

It’s doubtful a move would materialise between Liverpool and the Gunners for the midfielder due to his game-time with the former this season.

However, that doesn’t stop the bookies having 8/1 odds on a return to north London this month.

The odds quoted are from SkyBet at the time of writing.