- 9 hours ago
Does Arsenal striker exodus mean a huge January signing is likely?
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 7 Jan 2022 09:24 GMT
- 4 min read
Arsenal are set to loan out wonderkid striker Folarin Balogun in the January transfer window, with the youngster part of a group of forwards set to leave the Emirates over the next six months.
Mikel Arteta is facing a striker exodus at Arsenal for various reasons, and it may force him to delve into the transfer market earlier than planned to find a new star forwards.
Balogun has not played much this season and will be sent out on loan to Middlesbrough until the end of the current campaign, with Arsenal hoping that extra time on the pitch will aid his development.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, meanwhile, is poised to leave the club after being stripped of the captaincy following disciplinary issues.
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Following the punishment from Arteta, Aubameyang has not featured in a matchday squad and it seems that his time in North London is now over, whether it be via a loan or permanent transfer away in January.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both have contracts that expire in June and it is unlikely renewals will be agreed.
Arsenal, therefore, will be involved in plenty of football transfer news in January as they look to bring their summer recruitment drive forward.
Who are Arsenal targeting in January?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
Everton are having a torrid time under Rafa Benitez at the moment and if their current downward spiral continues it won't be long before their star players look for a transfer away.
The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin was one of the main reasons behind Everton's form as his injury left them short of a focal point, and quality, up front.
He returned to the side against Brighton, and missed a penalty, and will be looking to improve his match fitness in the coming weeks, something he'd need to prove before Arsenal started to consider a deal.
Everton would also demand a high transfer fee, especially as it's mid-season.
Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad)
Although Alexander Isak may not be as widely tipped for success as Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, the young Swede is still one of European football’s most exciting prospects.
The Real Sociedad striker has quickly turned his career around in Spain after a tricky start to senior football at Borussia Dortmund, and is now attracting interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
Arsenal will not be in the market for a Haaland or Mbappe as they simply aren't an elite enough side at the moment, but, they could potentially take the punt, albeit an expensive one, on another potential gem in Isak.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Arguably Arsenal's dream signing in the upcoming transfer window would be Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic.
While Haaland is stealing most of the headlines as Europe's best young striker, Vlahovic has been impressively going about his business in Italy.
He scored 21 Serie A goals last season, and has impressively racked up 16 goals in the opening 19 league games of this campaign.
Numerous big clubs want Vlahovic though, and Arsenal will need to present an incredible offer to the player and his agent to make a deal happen.
Fiorentina are signing Krzysztof Piatek in January, which could signal a departure for Vlahovic.
Arsenal have reportedly identified Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri as a potential replacement for Aubameyang.
He was on the club's radar in the summer but a move ultimately did not materalise.
Injuries and form has meant that En-Nesyri is not enjoying as good a campaign as 2020/21, but Arsenal could still attempt to bring him in, hoping the player can reclaim his goalscoring touch.
