'Big targets' - Arsenal's January transfer plan 'revealed' amid 'happy' comments from long-term target

Mikel Arteta’s squad are back in action this weekend, competing in the famous north London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They are, however, set to be without club captain Martin Odegaard who will join Mikel Merino and Declan Rice on the bench. While Merino continues to recover from injury and Rice serves his suspension, Odegaard sustained an ankle injury while on international duty and it set to be on the sidelines as his club take on their fiercest rivals.

With Arteta now forced to address his midfield dilemma, here are the latest rumours surrounding the Gunners’ desire for a new striker - a transfer story that just won’t rest, with Slovenian and Swedish stars once again linked with an N7 move...

Gunners to continue striker hunt

Arsenal have been tipped to once again continue their search for a new striker. Ahead of the summer’s transfer window, it had been strongly imagined that a new front-man would be joining the Emirates. However, despite continuous links with several of Europe’s top stars, no signings were made.

The latest news from Fabrizio Romano indicates that this is not, however, the end of the story with the Gunners once again predicted to bring in a new out-and-out striker next year. As reported by Transfer News Live, the Italian transfer guru said: “I expect Arsenal to reassess the possibility of signing a striker next summer. I think it’s going to be one of the big targets for Arsenal.”

Arsenal transfer blow as star ‘happy’ in Lisbon

One striker that has enjoyed numerous links with a move to north London is Sporting CP star and Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres.

The ex-Coventry City star has already scored seven goals and contributed with one assist in just four league matches this campaign, showing no signs of slowing down from his 2023/24 form which saw him score 50 goals and contribute 18 assists in 55 matches across all competitions.

However, while Arteta may have wished to sign the £85m-rated star, the president of the 26-year-old’s club Federico Varandas said that his star frontman remains happy at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Sporting president Varandas said of Gyokeres: “To be honest, I’ve seen inferior players being transferred above €100m, big players below €100m. Viktor is happy here. During the market, there was not a day without news saying that Viktor was leaving. The transfer market closed and these questions continue. But hey, we live with it and that’s how it will be.”

Gyokeres himself has already spoken of his happiness at staying but did not rule out the option of moving in the future: “I enjoy myself very much in Sporting and can’t complain about anything”, the forward said.

“So it’s absolutely no problem for me to stay. Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level but I have no stress.”