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Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Upamecano bid stance, Aubameyang exit clue, decision reversed
Arsenal transfer news LIVE is here with all of the latest confirmed deals and gossip from the Emirates and beyond.
Arsenal: Arteta says he 'wants' Aubameyang to stay at club
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Updates and gossip from the Emirates
Wednesday, January 8
- Arsenal are unlikely to launch a bid for transfer target Dayot Upamecano this month
- Arsenal hero thinks a clue has been dropped over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future
- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has convinced Granit Xhaka to remain at the Emirates
Arsenal should have signed Gary Cahill
Arsenal missed a trick when they let Crystal Palace beat them to a free transfer deal for Gary Cahill last summer.
That is the verdict of former Eagles striker Clinton Morrison, who shared his view on Monday night’s episode of Sky Sports’ The Debate show.
"Who I said at the start of the season who they should have signed, has had a great season at Crystal Palace, they should’ve signed Cahill," Morrison said.
"If you’re going to talk about signing [Jerome] Boateng, you can talk about Cahill. He’s brilliant, he’s in great shape, he could’ve gone and signed him with experience and he could’ve been a hell of a signing for Arsenal. I’m glad Palace have got him!"
Decision made over Merih Demiral
Arsenal could face disappointment in their pursuit of Merih Demiral with Juventus unwilling to sanction a loan move for the defender.
The Gunners’ lack of transfer funds means they are having to be creative and temporary deals are therefore being pursued this month.
Demiral is among the options they have considered to strengthen in defence, which has been their weakest area so far this season.
Goal, though, claim Juventus have decided Demiral will not be allowed to go out on loan, leaving Mikel Arteta and co. back at the drawing board for now.
Arsenal hero might have joined Man Utd
Arsenal hero Cesc Fabregas could have seriously damaged his reputation among the Emirates faithful by joining their old rivals Manchester United in 2013.
The midfielder, who has played for Barcelona, Chelsea and Monaco since leaving Arsenal, has admitted he spoke to David Moyes about a potential switch six and a half years ago.
Asked during a Twitter Q&A if he was ever close to signing for United, Fabregas said: "I wouldn’t say close but I did talk to David Moyes a couple of times."
Fabregas returned to England with Chelsea in 2014 and went on to win five trophies during a four-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal boss asked about Jerome Boateng
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta kept his cards close to his chest when asked if the Gunners will launch a bid for Jerome Boateng this month.
Boateng is understood to be one of the options the north Londoners have looked at to bolster their faltering defence.
Arteta, though, was coy about the possibility of snaring the former Manchester City ace, who has struggled for minutes at Bayern Munich this season.
"We don't talk about any transfers and we are working on a few things," Arteta said. "When the club has something to say I will let you know."
Arsenal’s Dayot Upamecano bid stance
Arsenal are unlikely to make an offer to sign Dayot Upamecano on a permanent basis this month because the finances simply aren’t there to do a deal.
Express Sport understands the Gunners and north London rivals Tottenham are both seriously interested in bolstering their respective defences with the RB Leipzig centre-back.
However, Goal report Arsenal will probably have to wait it out until the summer before launching their bid to get the highly-rated youngster on board.
RB Leipzig might have to accept a reduced fee for Upamecano then, though, as the Frenchman will have just 12 months left on his contract by that point.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exit clue
Arsenal hero Paul Merson thinks Mikel Arteta dropped a hint Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might be on his way out of north London by opening the door for Granit Xhaka to take the captaincy once again.
Asked if Xhaka could lead Arsenal one day, Arteta said: "I don't know, time will tell that. Now he's happy to stay here, he's completely committed and that's a big plus today."
During an appearance on Sky Sports’ The Debate show, Merson said: "That tells me he might be going then, Aubameyang."
Aubameyang inherited the captain’s armband from Xhaka last year after the Swiss was stripped of it following a clash with fans during a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal exit decision reversed
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta played a key role in convincing Granit Xhaka to stick with the Gunners, rather than head for Hertha Berlin this month.
The former Arsenal captain appeared destined for a January return to Germany after being pushed to the fringes under ex-boss Unai Emery.
Xhaka’s problems started with his outburst during the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace but he has since been welcomed back into the fold by Freddie Ljungberg and, then, Arteta.
Goal report Arteta helped change Xhaka’s mind on leaving the club and he’s now set to stay at the Emirates until at least the end of the season.