Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League and are said to be making plans for their future during the January transfer window.
Arsenal believe the team is already good enough to win the Premier League title, so the January transfer window is an opportunity to build for the future. Mikel Arteta’s side are rumored to have several young prospects who could become long-term first-team stars.
The Gunners have built a formidable squad with added depth following a fruitful summer recruitment campaign. With the likes of Gabriel Magalhães and Kai Havertz returning from injury, the club’s chances of remaining top of the league will further increase.
This leaves Arteta in the enviable position of having at least two quality options in every position. But that doesn’t mean the Gunners sit back and praise their team. Here we take a look at three moves Arsenal could make to plan for the future.
Repeat William Saliba’s transfer trick
Arsenal are rumored to be interested in signing young AC Milan left-back Davide Baltessaghhi ahead of the transfer window. The 19-year-old has made 28 appearances since breaking through to the first team and has already drawn comparisons with club legend Paolo Maldini.
Sky Sports report that Arsenal have scouted an attacking-minded full-back ahead of a potential move. With Riccardo Calafioli and Miles Lewis-Skelly currently competing for the left-back spot, the Gunners could choose Barthesaghhi to replicate William Saliba’s career path.
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Arsenal signed Saliba in 2019, less than a year after the teenage centre-back made his debut at Saint-Etienne. He was then loaned back to the French club in the summer of the same year, where he starred, before playing for Nice and Marseille.
Three years after Saliba joined the Gunners, he finally made his first appearance for the club and has been an integral part of Arteta’s squad ever since. Baltessaghi could conceivably follow the same trajectory if he chooses to leave Milan for Arsenal.
David Raya’s long-term successor
One of Barthesaghhi’s current team-mates could also follow him to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are reportedly interested in Milan star Lorenzo Torriani, who previously featured in a friendly against the Premier League leaders.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper spent most of this season in Milan’s reserves, but made two appearances for the Rossoneri last season. It was previously reported that Torriani continues to attract Arsenal’s attention after his impressive performance this summer, when he saved three penalties in the shootout against the Gunners.
It is claimed that Milan see Torriani as their future number one, but the Gunners could nullify those plans. David Raya has established himself as first-choice, but finding a suitable back-up goalkeeper has proven to be a problem throughout Arteta’s tenure.
The manager has signed new shot-stoppers for every season he has been at the club, with Kepa Arrizabalaga the last to play that role. His contract runs until 2028, but there’s little chance the 31-year-old ends up taking Raya.
Signing Traini would be a different approach. The highly-rated player could join as Arsenal’s second-choice long-term replacement for Raya.
Julian Timber’s new contract
Arsenal are reportedly looking to sign one of their current star players to a new contract out of the transfer window. Julian Timber has been outstanding for the Gunners so far this season, with the 24-year-old proving to be one of the best right-backs in the league.
The Sun reports that the club are confident of agreeing a new contract with the Dutch international. His current contract runs until 2028, but extension negotiations are said to be progressing smoothly.
Timber joined Arsenal in 2023 but missed his debut season due to injury. His impressive form for Arteta’s side has since seen his value increased to £61m according to the transfer window.
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