Arsenal Round-Up: Leading race for Algerian midfielder, Battle for Spanish winger, American forward on the radar

Arsenal renewed negotiations with €40m-rated Serie A midfielder

Arsenal are lining up a move for Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer ahead of the winter transfer window. The London giants are set to offer €20m in cash plus the price tag of Partey, who would effectively take Ismael’s place. The total package would be worth nearly €55m.

The report adds that the aforementioned Gunners bid might not be enough to lure the Rossoneri, who will say a “categorical no” to a bid of “less than €60m in cash” and will not entertain any bids below that mark.

Bennacer was a rising star in the Gunners’ youth ranks between 2015 and 2017 but was sold to Empoli for a fee of less than £1m in August 2017 after just playing one senior game for Arsenal.

And the Gunners club has lived to regret their decision, as Algeria international’s stellar displays earned him a £14m move to San Siro two years later, with the midfielder since becoming a crucial member for Milan.

The Algerian midfielder has gone on to play 126 games for the Rossoneri across all tournaments during his three-and-a-half-year stay so far, including 31 in Serie A during the 2021-22 title-winning campaign, when he played a crucial role in establishing a highly-efficient midfield alongside Kessie and Tonali.

The 25-year-old midfielder fits the profile perfectly owing to his press-resistance, and dribble-heavy attributes, while he boasts tremendous ability in tight spaces and master at progressing the ball high up the pitch with mazy runs.

Arsenal enter the battle to sign 20-year-old Spain international

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on signing Nico Williams next year. The 20-year-old attacker has a release clause worth €50m. Spain international has been a crucial footballer for Athletic Bilbao this campaign, and he has impressed in La Liga with his displays.

The Spanish attacker has four goals and four assists to his name across all tournaments, and he could prove to be a quality, long-term addition to all three teams. The London giants need to add more depth to their front line, and the Spaniard could be a quality long-term acquisition.

His arrival would allow the Spanish manager to rotate the likes of Martinelli and Saka during the second half of the campaign. However, it seems quite unlikely that Nico will want to move to the PL midway through the campaign.

Williams is a regular starter at the Spanish club and he will not want to jeopardise his chances of regular football by moving to a foreign league in the coming weeks. Nico has a release clause of €50m, and all three PL teams have the finances to pull off the move.

If they decide to trigger his release clause in winter, Athletic Club will be powerless to stop him from leaving. A move to the PL could help the player accelerate his development and he will get to work with world-class coaches like Jurgen Klopp. But Man United and Real Madrid are also keen on signing Nico.

Arsenal joined the race to sign €40m-rated Premier League forward

Arsenal, Man United and Newcastle United are vying for Christian Pulisic in winter. USA international is unhappy at Chelsea, with his future doubtful after the World Cup. Whether Chelsea are willing to sell him to their rivals stays a question.

The 24-year-old winger has not had the greatest of times under current manager Graham Potter or former Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician consistently preferred the American winger as an impact substitute, while Potter has not trusted him completely.

The American has starred for the USMNT at the World Cup and won the MOTM against England in Qatar. His performances have alerted possible suitors ahead of the winter transfer window, and a complicated move within the PL could materialise.

Arsenal, Man United and Newcastle United are all keen on the former Borussia Dortmund winger. Whether they can convince Chelsea and strike a deal stays the question.

The Gunners are in the market for a wide attacker, which is also the position Christian generally prefers to play in. While the Spanish manager’s priority is Mykhaylo Mudryk, there could be complications with his price tag. In addition, Shakhtar Donetsk want nearly £88m.

While Arsenal are confident of acquiring Mudryk for a significantly lower fee, they may not look to drag the issue for long. Hence, it is no surprise that Mikel Arteta is looking at alternatives, and Pulisic could be under consideration. Meanwhile, Newcastle are keen and willing to pay significantly for Pulisic with 18 months left on his deal.