Your morning Arsenal transfer round-up on Friday, January 6.
Lozano as Mudryk alternative
Arsenal could turn their attention to Hirving Lozano as a Mykhaylo Mudryk alternative after reports emerged Shakhtar rejected the Gunners' second bid and Chelsea registered an interest in signing the winger.
According to La Repubblica, Napoli star Hirving Lozano has caught the attention of Arsenal with his current situation in Italy indicating a possible departure could be on the horizon. The current Serie A league leaders have begun talks over an extension to Lozano's contract which expires in 2024, but they are not going well.
Lozano now appears to be pushing for a move away from Napoli as they have not gotten close to his wage demands. Arsenal believe him to be a realistic target, but face competition from Newcastle who have also expressed an interest. The 27-year-old has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League before it is too late and the contract stance with Napoli could be his last chance to secure a move to England.
READ MORE: The major reason Arsenal have transfer advantage over Chelsea for World Cup star Declan Rice
Arsenal's Rice advantage
Arsenal could beat Chelsea to the signing of Declan Rice this summer with the West Ham captain looking destined to leave the club at the end of the 2022/23 season.
According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs [via Si & Dan Talk Chelsea], the Gunners are eyeing a swoop for the England international and West Ham could be forced to sell in the summer following a poor season.
Should both sides make an official bid for Rice, the Gunners could hold a key advantage over their London rivals. During the World Cup, Rice claimed he wanted to play in the Champions League, an essential that Arsenal may be able to offer over Chelsea.
"Yeah - one hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League," the 23-year-old said. "For the last two or three years I've been saying that. I've been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing.
"I see my friends here (with England at the World Cup), who are playing Champions League and competing for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end of it you want to look back at what you've won and the biggest games you've played in. I really want to do that."
Martinelli trick repeat
Arsenal could repeat a transfer trick that involved an 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli with the Gunners interested in a new Brazilian wonderkid. The attacker was bought by Arsenal from Ituano for just £6million. Fast forward three years and the Brazilian has emerged as one of the Gunners' star players with seven Premier League goals in 17 games this season.
Mikel Arteta and Edu could now be eyeing a repeat of that transfer decision with reports from Brazil claiming the Gunners are 'observing' Gremio right-back Lucas Kawan.
Band journalist Kaliel reported the news, claiming they will have to fend off competition from the City Group for his services.
Manchester City also share an interest for the 19-year-old, who has only recently broken into the first team at Gremio. Kawan's contract at Arena do Gremio expires in 2025 and suitors around Europe are expected to be keen over the next 12 months.
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