'Done deal!' - Romano announces Arsenal's first Deadline Day move

Suraj Radia

• 31 Jan 2023 08:24 GMT
• 3 min read

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has announced that Arsenal have completed their first "done deal" on Deadline Day.

The Gunners have been active throughout the January market to add to their attacking ranks in the form of Leandro Trossard and their defence in the form of Jakub Kiwior, while they are also pushing for a late deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

But rather than a signing, it is a player who is outgoing that is the first significant movement for Arsenal. Marquinhos' move to Norwich has been confirmed by the Italian transfer specialist.

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With Trossard’s arrival and the impending return to fitness of Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith-Rowe, Arsenal have sanctioned the departure of the forward, who is set to join the Championship side until the end of the season via a loan deal.

The 19-year-old was a £3 million signing from Sao Paulo in June but, despite being earmarked as a potential first-team regular this season, he has played just one minute of Premier League football so far for the Gunners.

Marquinhos has featured five times in cup competitions for Arteta’s side and scored on his debut for the club in the Europa League against FC Zurich but will instead turn out in English football's second tier after completing a medical with the Carrow Road side.

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Arsenal have so far brushed off any doubts over their title pedigree despite losing top scorer Gabriel Jesus to a significant injury during the 2022 World Cup.

The club were hoping to sign Mudryk and had outlined the Ukrainian as their top target but Chelsea hijacked the move at the last moment, prompting Arsenal to move for Trossard instead.

Caicedo is now the club’s priority going into deadline day but Brighton have already rejected multiple bids totalling £70m as they have no interest in losing another key player this month following the departure of Trossard.

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is another player who has been linked as an alternative to Caicedo and a move could be considered on deadline day as he has a €60m release clause in his contract.

Arsenal are also set to allow Cedric Soares to join Fulham on loan despite missing out on youngster Ivan Fresneda, who has opted to remain at Real Valladolid until the end of the season.