Arsenal will return to Premier League action on Boxing Day with a lead at the top of the table, but they might need to do some business in January if they want to stay there.
Gabriel Jesus' injury leaves the Gunners light in attack, with the Brazilian coming home early with a problem sustained at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta will be worried about the lack of options, with little competition for back-up striker Eddie Nketiah, though Arsenal are also in the market for a wide forward.
The league leaders have two games before the transfer window opens, at home to West Ham and away to Brighton. Here are the latest lines coming from north London.
Talks opened over Mudryk move
Arsenal have opened talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a move for Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to the Evening Standard. Shakhtar are said to value the 21-year-old at £85m, though the Gunners are eager to bring that price down.
Mudryk has seven goals and six assists in the Ukrainian top flight this season, helping his team stay in touch with league leaders Dnipro-1. The wide forward also scored three times in the Champions League group stage, adding two assists, though it was only enough for Shakhtar to take third place in their group.
The youngster isn't the only option for Arteta's team as they look to strengthen. Wolves star Pedro Neto has also remained on their radar, with the Portugal international offering Premier League experience.
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Asensio's future to be decided
Arsenal target Marco Asensio is due for showdown talks with Real Madrid as he prepares to enter the final few months of his contract. The Spain international has been on World Cup duty, scoring in the group stage win against Costa Rica, but now has to decide on his longer-term future.
According to Mundo Deportivo (via Get Spanish Football News ), Real Madrid will speak to the forward in the coming days. He is reportedly still on holiday after his World Cup exertions, with those talks due to take place when he returns.
Asensio has been with Real Madrid since 2014, joining from hometown club Mallorca. He was on the bench for last season's Champions League final, but has made just one league start this season.
Competition for Vlahovic
Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic is also on the radar of Manchester United, according to Corriere dello Sport (via the Manchester Evening News ). The Serbian international's future is thought to be uncertain, with questions around Juventus ' future business, and United are reportedly "ready to get serious".
Mikel Arteta was keen on a move for Vlahovic last January, only for the player to choose Juventus. At the time, the player's agent said "Juventus are always Juventus" when explaining the decision.
The former Fiorentina man has 13 goals in 25 Serie A appearances for the Bianconeri and also netted once for Serbia at the World Cup. Juventus sit third in Serie A after recovering from a slow start, but have already been eliminated from the Champions League with just one win.
