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Football London
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Aaron Catterson-Reid

Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta targets Federico Chiesa deal amid major Declan Rice boost

We are now into the final week of what has been a hectic January transfer window.

Arsenal have had a rollercoaster month, to say the least, missing out on Chelsea's new winger Mykhailo Mudryk before signing Belgian attacker Leandro Trossard and Polish central defender Jajub Kiwior. That hasn't stopped Mikel Arteta's side from being linked with a host of other players across Europe, with a right-back and a midfielder still potentially on the agenda for technical director Edu,

With that being said, football.london has taken a look at some of the biggest transfer rumours involving the north London club from the last 24 hours below.

READ MORE: What Bukayo Saka did to Luke Shaw after England comments as Arsenal transfers give title boost

Chiesa interest

According to Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb, Juventus forward Federico Chiesa is now Arsenal's number one transfer target, with head coach Mikel Arteta said to be a huge fan of the talented attacker. Chiesa, who has also been linked with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid in recent weeks, has been plagued by a plethora of injury issues in recent times.

The Italian international missed the best part of a year after rupturing his cruciate ligament back in January 2022 and he has since struggled to regain full fitness since returning to action two months ago. Still, when he is available, the former Fiorentina forward can be devastating, scoring 15 times and providing a further 11 assists in all competitions during the 2020/21 season.

Rice twist

Last week, some reports suggested that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice prefers a move to Arsenal over Chelsea, with the prospect of playing under Gunners boss Arteta said to be a major reason as to why. Now, Spanish outlet Nacional, via Football365, have claimed that Rice has rejected interest from La Liga side Real Madrid, telling the Spanish club that he has already given 'his word' to Arsenal regarding a potential summer move.

It is also claimed that the England international, who is now into the final 18 months of his contract at the London Stadium, will become the north Londoners' most expensive signing in their history, surpassing the £72 million they paid for Nicolas Pepe back in the summer of 2019.

Zubimendi boost

As per Spanish outlet Cadena SER, via Sport Witness, the Gunners are also interested in signing Real Sociedad central midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Zubimendi has attracted considerable attention from Barcelona, who are said to be keen on the Spaniard as a potential successor to Sergio Busquets but the player is keen to stay with Sociedad until the end of the current campaign.

Still, a summer move is not ruled out and the aforementioned report goes on to say that he favours a move to the Premier League over signing for Barcelona, who pipped Arsenal to the signing of Brazilian attacker Raphinha last summer.

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