Arsenal’s Ambitious Plans for the January Transfer Window

Arsenal is reportedly looking to capitalize on their impressive start to the season by activating the release clause of a prominent Bundesliga player in January. The question remains whether sporting director Andrea Berta will take the plunge.

A Remarkable Week for Arsenal

The week for Arsenal has been remarkable, highlighted by tremendous victories over Tottenham in the North London derby and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. They will aim to extend this momentum in their upcoming match against Chelsea.

Arsenal currently boasts an unbeaten streak of 16 games, leading the Premier League by six points and holding the top spot in the Champions League. The initial months of this season could not have unfolded more favorably for the club.

However, the team is not content with their current achievements and is eager to bolster their roster in the January transfer window.

Striker on the Radar

Strengthening their attacking options seems to be a priority, especially with recent rumors linking them to Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.

The 29-year-old forward has a release clause of approximately £44 million (€50 million / $58 million) in his contract with the German club, which is understood to apply exclusively to elite clubs across Europe.

Arsenal stands among the elite teams eligible to trigger this special clause, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

This transfer clause becomes active in January, though Guirassy is reportedly willing to wait until the summer for a more significant opportunity.

Do Arsenal Need Serhou Guirassy?

Given that Arsenal invested heavily on Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP last summer, one must question the necessity of adding another striker to their ranks.

In addition to Gyokeres, the Gunners have Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Mikel Merino, all of whom can play in the central attacking role under manager Mikel Arteta.

Gyokeres, who has scored six goals in 14 appearances, has yet to find his rhythm, leading to speculation about the team’s need for further reinforcement. Although it is premature to label him a failure at this stage in his London career.

Currently, Gyokeres, Havertz, and Jesus are sidelined with injuries but are expected to make a return soon. Gyokeres and Havertz may even be fit in time for the clash against Chelsea this weekend, while Jesus might return from a knee injury next month. However, there is a genuine possibility that he could leave in the summer.

Although Guirassy has netted 47 goals for Dortmund since his arrival in the summer of 2024, his age could influence any potential acquisition. The Guinea international will turn 30 in March, leading Arsenal to likely target a younger forward who could serve as a backup to both Gyokeres and Havertz.

Reports indicate they may also be eyeing Levante’s Etta Eyong, who fits this younger profile perfectly.

Arsenal’s Interest in Young Talents

Arsenal, along with Manchester City and Chelsea, has dispatched senior scouts to Poland to evaluate Jagiellonia’s 17-year-old midfield talent, Oskar Pietuszewski, multiple times this season.

In addition, the Gunners appear to be the frontrunners to secure Elche’s talented midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza. However, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester City have also reached out to Mendoza’s representatives, signaling an intense transfer battle in January.

In conclusion, Paul Merson believes that Arsenal’s “statement” win against Bayern Munich will catch the attention of Europe, highlighting two exceptional players essential for their pursuit of Premier League success.