Football News

Transfer news: Draxler to Arsenal, Buendia to force move – today’s football gossip

By Tom Dutton

draxler buendia transfer featured image

Published: 13:04, 5 January 2021

Julian Draxler has been linked with Arsenal while Emiliano Buendia is reportedly ready to push for a move to the club as Mikel Arteta continues his search for a playmaker in the January Transfer Window.

It wouldn’t be a transfer window if Arsenal weren’t linked with Draxler, would it? France Football claim the Gunners are back in for the 27 -year-old.

Buendia is another reported target but Arteta must cut his squad down to size before looking to add anyone this month.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to be considering a shortlist of possible managerial candidates despite suggestions Frank Lampard will be given more time to turn the situation around.

City ‘monitoring’ Sergio Ramos

Source: ESPN

Manchester City are closely monitoring Sergio Ramos’ situation at Real Madrid.

ESPN reports City are planning to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Ramos’ future at Real with his contract set to expire in the summer. AS in Spain say Ramos has been offered a new deal at the Bernabeu for a further two years but he is yet to commit to fresh terms.

However, reports state the defender is keen to link up with Lionel Messi – the favourite to join Manchester City – in the summer. 

City are said to be confident Ramos is still able to perform at the highest level despite the fact he will turn 35 in March.

More time for Chelsea boss Lampard?

Source: The Independent

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is set to be given more time to prove he is the right man to steer the club towards the top of the Premier League table, according to The Independent.

The situation is said to be under constant review after Lampard managed just one win from six top flight fixtures over the festive period. He is the favourite to leave next in the Premier League sack race. Thomas Tuchel, Max Allegri, Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl are reportedly among those being considered as possible replacements if Roman Abramovich does wield the axe.

It is claimed Lampard’s failure to successfully introduce new signings to the side is among the chief concerns after a record spree last summer.

Buendia and Draxler ‘on Arsenal radar’

Source: France Football, CBS Sport

Arsenal are interested in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler, according to France Football.

Real Madrid’s Isco and reported summer target Houssem Aouar have also been linked after Edu confirmed the club are on the lookout for “creativity in the middle”.

Meanwhile, Emiliano Buendia will reportedly attempt to push through a move to Arsenal if there is a formal approach from the Premier League club during the January window.

bueCBS Sport claims the Gunners, who are favourites to sign Buendia, have already held informal talks over a move for the Norwich midfielder as Mikel Arteta looks to add some creative flair to his side.

Norwich are reluctant to sell Buendia but the report states the 24-year-old is ready to inform the Championship side of his desire to move to Emirates Stadium. Arteta must offload players before focusing on targets with William Saliba (loan, Nice) and Sead Kolasinac (loan, Schalke) already sealing moves away this month.

Barcelona made to wait for Eric Garcia

Source: Marca

A new central defender is reportedly top of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s wishlist during the January transfer window.

Reports in Spain suggest Manchester City’s Eric Garcia, who will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer, is their primary target. However, AS claims City are reluctant to do business in the January window despite the fact it could cost them a fee.

The report claims Barcelona are ready to push as hard as they can to land Garcia this month after failing to sign their defensive targets in the summer.

Saliba loan until 2022?

Source: L’Equipe

L’Equipe reports Arsenal defender William Saliba could extend his six-month loan move to Nice by a further year.

Saliba has returned to Ligue 1 initially until the end of the campaign. The 19-year-old signed for the Gunners from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 before returning to Geoffroy Stadium for the 2019/20 season.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said last summer Saliba’s return to Saint-Etienne “wasn’t the transition year that he needed” and initially intended to send the centre-back out on loan for the entire 2020/21 campaign. That move never materialised but Saliba has now clinched a return to Ligue 1 and reports in France suggest he could have found his home for the next 18 months.