Just as they did in the summer transfer window, Arsenal have left it late to sign a new midfielder. Despite signing two players in the January transfer window, the Gunners remain short in the middle of the park. Again.
Leandro Trossard signed from Brighton for £21million before defender Jakub Kiwior arrived from Italian side Spezia. Two key areas of the playing staff have received welcomed attention, but with hours remaining before the transfer window closes for another six months, an anxious wait remains.
It would be hard to argue that Arsenal's squad isn't already close to complete. A perfect goalkeeper to accompany Arteta's style of play, a rigid backline with full-backs flexing different roles, a near-faultless midfield trio and statistically impressive forward line that have reached unreal levels of consistency this campaign.
READ MORE: Arsenal's Moises Caicedo transfer hope, Youri Tielemans blow, Marquinhos exit
However, following Thomas Partey's injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on Friday, the requirement for another midfielder has only become more demanding. Whilst Liverpool prepare to go all out for Jude Bellingham in the summer and Chelsea continue their crazy spending spree in an effort to lure Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, Arsenal are forced to look elsewhere.
The deadline for any potential deals is 11pm this evening, with an extra two hours allowed should the deal sheet be supplied to the relevant governing bodies. The rating of the winter business is very well split down the middle: improving the attack and defence with quality has been substantial but the injuries to Mohamed Elneny and Partey have dealt a major blow.
Both players have faced fitness concerns in the past and the Gunners attempted to solve the issue in the previous two windows, highlighting the club’s awareness of the ongoing concern. In the summer, like this month, the Gunners left it late in their attempt to fix the issue, failing in their bid to sign Douglas Luiz.
This time, Moises Caicedo is the target - but for much more money. Brighton reportedly want £80million for their midfield starlet who they paid only £4.5million for two years ago. The question of what a perfect deadline day would be for Arsenal could easily be simplified to Caicedo.
The saga has been an ever-changing one over the past week. After seeing an initial bid in the region of £65million rejected on Friday, Caicedo opted to take things into his own hands with a statement on his social media, admitting his desire to leave.
But Brighton haven't budged from their stance of keeping hold of the Ecuadorian, despite Roberto De Zerbi saying the club are 'ready' to move forward without him. Most recently, Arsenal once again fell short, this time with an offer worth £70million including add-ons.
Strong, impressive on the ball and incredible characteristics to read the play from deep, Caicedo has all the traits that Arteta demands from his midfielder. But, as expected with a club of Arsenal's magnitude, alternatives are in place should a deal fail to materialise.
The Gunners are now considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho football.london understands. Chelsea are understood to be willing to let the Italian international leave before the window closes if the fee is suitable as they near a deal for Benfica's Enzo Fernandez. Jorginho has just six months remaining on his contract so would potentially be available for a lower fee, but it is not thought that a move is advanced at this stage.
Two names that have previously been linked are Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Leicester's Youri Tielemans, but football.london understands a move for either are not on the cards at this point. On the morning of deadline day, it seems it's either Caicedo or Jorginho.
The exit at London Colney could also see a number of possible walk through it. Cedric's loan move to Fulham is expected to go ahead in a bid for first team football whilst Brazilian winger Marquinhos is close to securing a temporary switch to Championship side Norwich City.
The summer signing has ultimately struggled to adapt to English football since arriving from Sao Paulo. A move to a club re-energised under David Wagner comes at the perfect time for Marquinhos and he should slot perfectly into the 4-3-3 adopted at Carrow Road.
Should Arsenal manage to successfully secure a midfielder, the icing on the cake would be the imminent news of Gabriel Martinelli's contract extension. football.london understands that the Brazilian has agreed a new deal that will see him stay at the Emirates Stadium until at least 2027, but the news is yet to be confirmed by the club.
Now, we wait. 16 hours remain of the winter window and 16 hours for Arsenal to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the Premier League title for the first time in 19 years.
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