No.9 madness as Arsenal make shock offer amid Chelsea and Man Utd battle: FT recap

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 29 Jan 2025 21:09 GMT
  • 5 min read
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2024/25
© IMAGO

Wednesday delivered plenty of big storylines as Arsenal made a shock offer for Ollie Watkins.

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Plus, Chelsea and Man Utd began chasing the same No.9 and Aston Villa agreed a blockbuster Jhon Duran transfer. There's plenty to cover, so let's jump right in.

Exclusive: Arsenal make Tel U-turn

Mathys Tel
© IMAGO - Mathys Tel

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal have begun exploring the option of Mathys Tel after his decision to leave Bayern.

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Man Utd enter Tel race

However, Man Utd have now also firmly entered the race for the Frenchman, who remains a top target for Chelsea.

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Villa accept Duran offer

Jhon Duran
© IMAGO - Jhon Duran

Aston Villa have accepted a blockbuster €77 million offer from Al-Nassr for Jhon Duran.

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Arsenal make Watkins offer

Ollie Watkins
© IMAGO - Ollie Watkins

During the negotiations for Duran, Arsenal submitted an offer for Villa's other star striker, Ollie Watkins.

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Would a move for Watkins make sense?

Watkins is already 29 and therefore a vastly different age profile compared to other targets, so it begs the question if a transfer would even make sense.

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Another Jesus instead?

Igor Jesus
© IMAGO - Igor Jesus

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Igor Jesus of Botafogo who is arguably Brazil's best No.9 right now.

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Osimhen's two clauses

Victor Osimhen
© IMAGO - Victor Osimhen

The option of Victor Osimhen is also one that has crossed Mikel Arteta's mind and his two release clauses have now been revealed.

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New Rashford escape route

Marcus Rashford
© IMAGO - Marcus Rashford

Man Utd outcast Marcus Rashford has been offered a new escape route by Al-Ahli amid Barcelona's struggles to free up the necessary space to sign the England international.

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Garnacho swap mooted

Alejandro Garnacho
© IMAGO - Alejandro Garnacho

Man Utd could look to offer Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea in a spectacular swap deal for either Christopher Nkunku or a rather surprising name.

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Chelsea make Denner offer

Denner
© IMAGO - Denner

Chelsea have opened formal talks with Corinthians over 16-year-old left-back Denner.

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Garnacho plan revealed

Alejandro Garnacho
© IMAGO - Alejandro Garnacho

Chelsea's pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho could go down to the wire and, if unsuccessful, they have an exciting Plan B.

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Emery wants Felix

Joao Felix
© IMAGO - Joao Felix

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is obsessed with Joao Felix and is looking to poach the Chelsea attacker before the deadline.

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Man City to start Chilwell domino?

Ben Chilwell
© IMAGO - Ben Chilwell

Man City's interest in Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso could end Ben Chilwell's Chelsea nightmare.

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