David Ornstein issues 'horrendous' Arsenal transfer verdict as decision made on defender

Arsenal are now putting the final touches on their preparations for Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United. The Gunners will have to balance taking the competition seriously, given it is an avenue to silverware, while potentially resting a couple of key players.

The Gunners will be looking out for transfer targets in the meantime, needing to strengthen at the top end of the pitch, in particular. With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Williams deal not likely

Nico Williams has been linked with a move to Arsenal over recent weeks and months, but it seems a deal will not be on the cards for January, not only because the winger has told Athletic Club that he will be there for the rest of the season, but it will also be a particularly expensive deal to pull off.

David Ornstein has said on The Athletic FC Podcast: “Mikel Arteta loves Nico Williams. It’s a long-term admiration. He would love to have signed him in the past and he would really like to sign him in this January transfer window. However, we would all like things in life we can’t have and there is a good chance that he can’t have Nico Williams because of the finances involved.

“He has a release clause that is active that is just shy of €60m, but it has to be paid in one go which is horrendous for any club who wants him, he also earns a very good salary in Bilbao which would need to rise if he’s going to move to the Premier League. He also is not agitating for a transfer which is why many transfers do come about because players push. He’s not pushing, he seems extremely settled and that makes it a remote possibility, but it doesn’t mean there’s no interest in him.”

Kiwior decision

Arsenal star Jakub Kiwior has been linked with a move away from the club amid limited opportunities at the club this season. Kiwior briefly filled in for Gabriel Magalhaes, but he has found himself down the pecking order both at centre-back and left-back, where he previously failed.

Kiwior has made just 14 appearances, including only eight in the Premier League, and just two of those have been starts. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Juventus and Napoli have expressed an interest, but Arsenal are refusing to sell him this month, choosing to be careful with the depth they have in their squad. It’s reported a summer deal will be considered worth somewhere between £12million and £17million.

Araujo latest

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has spoken on the Ronald Araujo situation with the centre-back having been linked with Arsenal, Juventus and others. He said: “I want Araujo in my team because he is one of the best defenders,’ Flick said. ‘He’s a professional and is now fit, having recovered from his injury, so he can help us.”

He added: “I have told the team: there is only outside noise, you have to be cohesive and strong. It’s a great season, we’ve done well in general, although we haven’t reached the points we wanted. It’s good to learn from all the games and this is the objective. We have to be focused. We played well for the club and we can do better. It’s what we want.”