According to the BBC, Arsenal are looking to acquire two players, both via loan, before the January transfer window closes next Thursday. While they certainly have an injury crisis at the back to contend with right now, they are not currently really being linked to any defenders.
Instead it’s Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic that are the north London side’s top targets. And with reports circulating that the Gunners are closing in on Perisic, Milan boss Luciano Spalletti has made remarks that have opened the door to this deal likely getting done.
“Perisic is a very good player, of course there’s rumors about him during the transfer window,” said Spalletti of the long time Manchester United/Jose Mourinho target.
“If a player is good, it’s obvious that every club would want him. Of course, then the figures must be adequate for things to go through. He knows his job and he also knows that we expect him to keep working just like he has done so far. “
The BBC’s David Ornstein, as reliable a source as you’ll find on these matters, tweeted the following:
Arsenal have made an approach to sign Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic. #AFC want loan with £35m option to buy. 29yo open to #Inter exit. Fits plan of versatile midfielder e.g. Suarez (still possible) / Nkunku + winger. Unclear if injuries mean defender wanted but Sokratis not bad
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 26, 2019
As Ornstein tweeted above, Arsenal are also looking at Christopher Nkunku of Paris Saint-Germain as a fallback option for their midfield needs, if top target Denis Suarez falls through. The club have only allocated Unai Emery enough money to get loan deals, not permanent signings, done this month.
However, they are looking to sign both a midfielder and winger this month. Ivan Perisic signed a five-year contract extension in September of 2017 that would theoretically keep him with Inter until 2022.
However, as the BBC writes: “it is understood he is open to leaving the San Siro after joining from Wolfsburg in 2015.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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