Arsenal are yet to make their first signing of the January transfer window.
Arsenal have been linked with plenty of players over the past few weeks, but the Gunners haven’t made any concrete moves as of yet.
Arsenal are looking at signing a striker after Gabriel Jesus’ injury, but getting a new number nine in isn’t going to be easy.
Alexander Isak is Arsenal’s dream target, but getting Isak out of Newcastle won’t be easy.
Arsenal do have money to spend this month, but they are trying to be cautious in the market according to Dharmesh Sheth, speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk Podcast.
The striker signing Arsenal want to make
According to Sheth, Arsenal want to sign a striker on loan, but they don’t want to bring someone in with an obligation to buy.
Arsenal wouldn’t mind having an option to buy on a striker signing, but they’re not keen to commit a long-term financial outlay on a new number nine at this point.
“And they’ve also got to be careful as well, as do other clubs, when you talk about loans with options and obligations.,” Sheth said.
“Because a loan with an obligation is effectively going to be the same as a permanent signing. And if you think you can just try out someone and then there’s an obligation at the end, it’s not trying them out, you’re buying them. Because the obligation is there to buy.
“What Arsenal probably would in an ideal world want to do, would be to bring in someone who could come into the team on a short-term basis and they’d have the option to do something with them in the summer rather than an obligation.
“Unless a long-term target of theirs became available right now. But then again, like I mentioned before, the selling club is going to know it’s the middle of a season.
“Middle of a season means desperation. Let’s add some more money to this price tag. So, Arsenal, as much as they are aware of the noise from all of the fans, you can’t ignore it. Clearly, you can’t. They have to take a step back and see what’s best for the club”
Arsenal’s past January loan signings
Arsenal want a new striker on loan in January, but history suggests that Arsenal don’t always get these kinds of signings right.
Indeed, the types of players who are available on loan in a January transfer window aren’t always the highest quality.
Of course, every now and then you can find a gem, but these types of quality signings are few and far between.
| Arsenal past January loan signings |
| Martin Odegaard |
| Pablo Mari |
| Cedric Soares |
| Denis Suarez |
| Kim Kallstrom |
| Thierry Henry |
Martin Odegaard is the best player from this bunch, but, more often than not, Arsenal’s January loan signings don’t quite work out.
Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares, Denis Suarez and Kim Kallstrom all had very little impact.
Thierry Henry was brilliant upon his return to Arsenal, and that was an inspired signing, but, sadly for Arsenal, there aren’t many Thierry Henrys on the market right now.
It will certainly be interesting to see what type of player Arsenal can bring in this month as they look to land a new striker on loan.