Not just Mudryk: Arsenal could have two more transfers hijacked

Carlo Garganese

• 18 Jan 2023 22:15 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal have already had one big transfer hijacked this month but are now at risk of seeing two more targets stolen from their grasp.

The biggest story of the January transfer window so far was Chelsea’s hijacking of Mykhailo Mudryk.

The Blues signed the Ukrainian winger for €100 million from Shakhtar Donetsk, with the deal becoming official on Sunday.

Premier League 2022/23 January transfers: All the Done Deals

This was despite the fact that Arsenal had been in advanced negotiations to sign Mudryk and had been in talks since last summer.

But Mudryk is not the only big-name Arsenal transfer target that they could miss out on this month.

Trossard to be hijacked?

According to a number of reports, Arsenal have begun talks to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton.

Trossard looks set to leave Brighton this month after falling out with manager Roberto De Zerbi, with the Belgian refusing to sign an extension to his contract that expires in the summer.

While Brighton retain an option to extend Trossard’s deal for a further, he is likely to be sold after being dropped by De Zerbi for the last two games.

Tottenham are also interested in signing Trossard, but on Tuesday evening multiple sources revealed that Chelsea were trying to hijack the move.

With Graham Potter the manager of Chelsea, this has made them favourites to sign Trossard given the pair worked together at Brighton.

In addition to Trossard, there is another Arsenal target who could be hijacked this window.

Diaby to be hijacked?

Arsenal have also been in talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Moussa Diaby, who has been a long-term target of the Gunners.

But, according to the Daily Mail, Newcastle have now stepped in and could launch a big-money move.

Arsenal are aware that if it comes down to a bidding war then there will be the same result as with their Mudryk chase as Newcastle are comfortably richer.

Nevertheless, Ben Jacobs adds that Leverkusen don’t want to sell in January, making a summer move more likely.

It has so far been a frustrating transfer window for Arsenal but it has not stopped them opening up an eight-point lead at the top of the table.