Arsenal Looking To Tie Up January Deals For Duo – Report

Arsenal are looking to bolster their goalkeeping and central midfield options…

Arsenal are looking to tie up a double January deal for goalkeeper Matt Turner as well as a loan deal for Arthur Melo with Mikel Arteta desperate to bolster the squad, Football London’s Chris Wheatley reports.

Arsenal looking to sign US national team goalkeeper Matt Turner, as first reported by @TaylorTwellman.

Bernd Leno close to leaving the club and Aubameyang mulling over offers from Saudi Arabia.#AFC also hope to get Arthur Melo over the line.https://t.co/QrZmSJn7e6

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 20, 2022

The boss has made it clear that the squad needs numbers following the January departures of Ainsley Maitland-Nies, Folarin Balogun, Sead Kolasinac and Pablo Mari.

Also, the likes of Mo Elneny, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract in June, which means Arteta’s squad will go through yet another hefty turnover.

Central midfield has been a priority for the manager this month after stating that urgent attention was needed, but additions haven’t been forthcoming.

Our problems in that area were hardly sprung on us, with the hierarchy aware that AFCON coupled with a busy winter schedule would cause issues.

Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny have been away competing in Cameroon and failure to prepare ourselves for this eventuality has seen us dumped out of both domestic cup competitions.

Thankfully, the postponement of the north London derby last week hasn’t seen us lose much ground in the race for the top four, though that could all change.

Juventus midfielder Arthur seems to be the player identified by the club, though acquiring him on a 6-month loan deal has proven rather difficult.

Having said that, reporter Chris Wheatley claims the club is still confident of securing that deal.

In the case of Matt Turner, an American goalkeeper for MLS side New England Revolution, the move for him came out of the blue.

At 27 years of age, the USMNT international isn’t coming to gain some experience, and his potential arrival could see Bernd Leno shown the exit door with Newcastle seen as a possible destination.

10 days remain until the window slams shut, time for Edu and co to deliver on Arteta’s promises.