Ranking the five January transfers Arsenal should prioritise

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 4 min read

Arsenal are presently working on their plans for the January transfer window, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed.

The Premier League leaders have been steadily building momentum over the course of the last 18 months and find themselves at the summit of the standings at the break for the World Cup.

MORE: Chelsea ‘in touch’ with Arsenal target Vlahovic

But as teams gear up for the second part of the season, Arsenal are seeking to further strengthen their ranks.

“We are looking and we are active in the possibilities,” Arteta said. “If we can find the players that will strengthen the team, we will try.”

Of the players that Arsenal have been recently and credibly linked with, who should they be targeting?

MORE: ‘Arsenal lead final sprint to sign Joao Felix’

5. Joao Felix – Atletico Madrid

Showed his potential in fits and starts with Portugal at the World Cup but is wildly overpriced by Atletico Madrid in consideration of his form over the course of the last 18 months, plus the fact that his relationship with head coach Diego Simeone is weak. On top of this, he doesn’t fill a position that Arsenal are in need of. While he would certainly add quality and depth to the attack, talk of a €100 million deal is simply something the Gunners don’t need.

FootballTransfers valuation: €34m

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4. Youri Tielemans – Leicester

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are still interested in Belgium international Youri Tielemans, whose contract with the Foxes expires at the end of the season. The Gunners appear prepared to wait until the summer to add the ex-Monaco player to their ranks on a free transfer, with Leicester’s asking price still too high for their liking. Although a versatile midfielder capable of playing a defensive role, Arsenal could really use a specialist in that area.

FootballTransfers valuation: €50m

3. Danilo – Palmeiras

Young Palmeiras midfielder Danilo ticks so many boxes for Arsenal. He fits into their transfer policy of signing young players who have the potential to improve but who are also capable of performing quickly. In addition, he should have ample sell-on value in the years ahead. Unlike Tielemans, he offers the type of defensive profile that they need with Mohamed Elneny injured. Indeed, January is an ideal opportunity to sign him because he can be gradually introduced to the team without the strain of performing immediately.

FootballTransfers valuation: €34m

2. Mykhailo Mudryk – Shakhtar Donetsk

Clearly Mudryk is a player that Arsenal are eager to sign, having tracked him since the summer. The links since then have barely died down, with the only quarrel set to be over his transfer fee. Although the Gunners are not necessarily in need of a winger, signing Mudryk would solve a significant problem in attack. Gabriel Martinelli would be given the freedom to move into a centre-forward role to deputise for Gabriel Jesus, who is out until at least March after knee surgery.

FootballTransfers valuation: €15m

1. Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic should be Arsenal’s leading January transfer priority. In short, the Gunners won’t win the Premier League with Eddie Nketiah alone leading the line, even supported by Martinelli, so with Vlahovic on the market, it is a no-brainer to sign a proven scorer. It would hardly be a left-field move either, with Arsenal having come close to landing the player last January. If they are to re-establish themselves as a major European force, more than one quality No.9 is needed, and this is the ideal opportunity to go out and make sure they have that.

FootballTransfers valuation: €65m