Transfer rumours: Football gossip including Ryan Christie to Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s search for more creativity in his Arsenal midfield has reportedly led him to Celtic’s Ryan Christie.
The Gunners boss has identified the position as a problem area but must cut the fat from his squad before turning to targets in the January Transfer Window.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been linked with Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan while David Alaba is reportedly the subject of five approaches with his Bayern Munich contract set to expire in 2021.
Manchester United are expected to confirm the arrival of Amad Diallo imminently. A deal was reached for the 18-year-old last year and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now believes the transfer will be finalised in the coming days.
Ryan Christie to Arsenal?
Source: 90min
Mikel Arteta continues his search for a midfield lock pick and is reportedly interested in Scotland international Christie.
The 25-year-old has just over a year to run on his current deal at Celtic Park and is said to be attracting suitors from across the Premier League. Arteta must offload players before turning his attention to acquisitions, with a focus on Arsenal’s lack of creativity in midfield.
The Gunners have also been linked with a January swoop for Real Madrid fringe player Isco (4/1 to move to Emirates Stadium) after a summer move for Houssem Aouar failed to materialise.
Isco next club odds (via Sky Bet):
- Everton 2/1
- Sevilla 3/1
- Arsenal 4/1
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. UK only. Terms and Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.
Likelihood of Christie joining Arsenal? ***
Chelsea ‘contact’ over Mohamed Simakan
Source: Le10 Sport
Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Strasbourg over a possible move for £13.5m-rated centre-back Simakan as Frank Lampard targets a long-term replacement for Thiago Silva.
Lampard has been thrilled with Silva’s performances at Stamford Bridge this term and has the option to extend his one-year deal by a further 12 months, but the Chelsea boss is still planning for life after the Brazilian.
His back line may need further additions with Fikayo Tomori reportedly pushing for an exit, though Lampard did sign Malang Sarr from Nice last summer before immediately sending him out on loan to Porto. The Blues have also been linked with Declan Rice (3/1 to move to Stamford Bridge this month) for some time amid reports Lampard would prefer to deploy the West Ham midfielder at the heart of his defence.
Declan Rice next club odds (via Sky Bet):
- Chelsea 3/1
- Manchester United 14/1
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Likelihood of Simakan joining Chelsea? **
Arsenal ‘open’ to Saliba exit
Source: L’Equipe
Arsenal are said to be open to the possibility of William Saliba leaving the club on a permanent transfer this month.
L’Equipe claim the club agreed to a possible departure following a meeting with Saliba last week. The 19-year-old has failed to make a single appearance in the Premier League this term after seeing loan opportunities fall through during the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, defenders David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi (5/4 to join Barcelona) are expected to depart Emirates Stadium when their contracts expire in the summer, if not before. Sead Kolasinac will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Schalke with Mikel Arteta prioritising sales.
The Arsenal boss said: “We cannot sustain the numbers we have in certain positions.”
Shkodran Mustafi next club (via Sky Bet):
- Barcelona 5/4
- Valencia 3/1
- Any Chinese Super League club 9/1
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Likelihood of Saliba leaving Arsenal? ***
David Alaba receives ‘several’ offers
Source: Fabrizio Romano
Alaba has received approaches from five different clubs over a summer move, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Fabrizio Romano claims Alaba has his sights set on joining Real Madrid, reporting Bayern now have “little hope” of tying the Austrian to a new deal.. The 28-year-old is now free to speak to foreign clubs over a free transfer at the end of the season.
Real are also on alert over Paul Pogba (4/1 to move to the Bernabeu this month) after comments made by the Frenchman’s agent last month. Mino Raiola said: “He needs to change team, he needs a change of scene. He has a contract that expires in a year and a half’s time, in the summer of 2022, but I think the best solution would be for him to leave in the next transfer window.”
Paul Pogba next club odds (via Sky Bet):
- Juventus 5/2
- Real Madrid 4/1
- PSG 8/1
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. UK only. Terms and Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.
Likelihood of Alaba leaving Bayern Munich? ****
Amad Diallo to Man Utd ‘done’
Source: Fabrizio Romano
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed the imminent arrival of Amad Diallo, 18, from Serie A club Atalanta.
Manchester United announced the deal in October and have now received the necessary paperwork to push through the signing of Diallo.
Speaking after Friday’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa, Solskjaer said: “We have had all the paperwork, I can’t see any obstacles. He’s coming. Hope very soon he will be with us. Very excited to have him in. He’ll need time to develop.”
It comes amid reports United hope to land England star Jadon Sancho (5/1 to join this transfer window) for less than £100million this year. Borussia Dortmund demanded a €120m fee last summer in a saga which lasted the duration of the window.
Sancho next club odds (via Sky Bet):
- Manchester United 5/1
- Liverpool 9/1
- Manchester City 20/1
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. UK only. Terms and Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.
Likelihood of Diallo joining Manchester United? *****
Readers outside of the UK can engage with the transfer window betting market at 888 Sport.
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