Arsenal consider hijacking £ 14million transfer from Tottenham in January as Edu prepares risky Barcelona deal

Welcome to our Soccer.London Daily news from the Arsenal Way.

Maybe not the first, we’ve certainly done transfer roundups before, and European roundups, so I guess in a way it’s not that new at all.

Either way, we thought we were stepping into the soccer world in a wide and roundabout way for you and having fun with some of the stories and legends that tour daily.

Mourinho plans raid on Arsenal

AS Roma are in talks to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan ahead of the January transfer window, according to ESPN.

The report claims the 24-year-old, valued at £ 10.8million by Transfer market, is open to this decision and the sporting director of the Italian team, Tiago Pinto, has contacted Arsenal.

ESPN add that Jose Mourinho’s side want a loan with an option to buy, in talks about a potential four-year deal.

Our point of view: Personally, I rate Maitland-Niles and think he’s a good player who should be used more by Arteta – he’s definitely not the first midfielder I think is due to leave the Emirates in January.

The Englishman’s contract in the Emirates expires in June 2023 so, ideally for Arsenal, a direct buy or sell option seems the best choice if it is not in Arteta’s plans.

Arteta joins £ 14million race for the youngster

Arsenal have joined Tottenham, Newcastle, Brentford and West Ham in the race for Nottingham Forest starlet Brennan Johnson, according to under the sun.

The report claims Thomas Frank’s team have been following the 20-year-old for some time and may soon pull the trigger first, placing a bid of £ 14million.

Johnson, who sees his contract with Forest expire at the end of next season, has been at the heart of Steve Cooper’s relaunch for promotion to the Premier League, starting 19 of the club’s last 20 outings in the league.

Our point of view: While I think it could be a good move for Arsenal as they seemingly look to keep the youth production chain in the first team, I’m concerned the Gunners are caught in a cycle.

Buying prospects are good, but I think Arteta will have to start recruiting world-class talent soon if he is looking to take his project to the next level.

Arsenal need to figure out how to progress and maybe a deal for Johnson is in the works at the moment, but Edu needs to recruit world-class talent as well.

Gunner pistol for Coutinho

Edu is looking to bring Phillipe Coutinho to Arsenal on loan for the remainder of the season, according to Spanish media Sport, via four four two.

The report claims the 29-year-old could return to the Premier League in early 2022 after averaging just 38 minutes per game this season in 16 appearances.

Our point of view: I’m not sure how I feel about this potential move. Ultimately you sign Coutinho because he will start the matches and Martin Odegaard has blocked him for the time being.

Likewise, Emile Smith Rowe has been excellent so I think bringing the Brazilian to north London would only be worth it if it meant Odegaard and Smith Rowe’s opportunities weren’t hampered by his arrival.

That said, if Arteta was able to revive Coutinho to the same level he reached at Liverpool … Pwoah, what a deal that would be.

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