It's looking like it will be a hectic end to the January transfer window for Arsenal. With just one day remaining the Gunners are still hopeful of doing plenty of business.
"We’ve been pretty active," manager Mikel Arteta said of his side's transfer ambitions after their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Friday. "We have some necessities and if something else is available the club is willing to try to do it when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad."
Edu has plenty of irons in the fire as we head into the final few hours of the month. With that in mind football.london takes a look at how things stand at the Emirates ahead of the last day of the January transfer window.
READ MORE: Arsenal looking at late move for Jorginho with Chelsea willing to let Italian leave
Outgoings
As football.london reported on Monday Marquinhos will join Norwich City for the remainder of the season. The Brazilian had made a good start to life at Arsenal, but following the arrival of Leandro Trossard it was decided that it would be best for him to get game time elsewhere for the remainder of the season. Promotion-chasing Norwich offer a good chance for him to get that, and David Wagner's side should be a good destination for the 19-year-old to continue his acclimatisation to the English game.
Several other youngsters could make their way out on loan too. Omar Rekik is set to join Miguel Azeez on loan at Wigan for the remainder of the season after being recalled from his spell at Sparta Rotterdam, while a decision will be made on Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand's future after an injury hit first half of his loan spell with Hull City.
Among the first team it appears as though there could also be one more exit. football.london understand that Cedric is close to joining Fulham on loan for the remainder of the season. The deal hinges on whether Fulham can free up a loan space in their squad by making Shane Duffy's temporary transfer from Brighton a permanent one.
Incomings
Unsurprisingly for Arsenal it's all about bringing in a midfielder at the minute. Right back Ivan Fresneda had been linked, but he has confirmed that he'll be staying with Real Valladolid for the time being, so central midfield is where the focus is.
Following a long-term injury to Mohamed Elneny Arsenal find themselves short of numbers in the middle of the park. Mikel Arteta wants a squad capable of competing for both the Premier League and Europa League in the second half of the season and would like to bring in more options.
"We need some more cover in midfield, ideally, if we can," he told football.london last Wednesday. "But this market is complicated But as I always say, the most important thing is we get the performances and the time on the pitch with the players we already have on the pitch are really good."
Their number one target in this position remains Moises Caicedo. Edu has submitted two bids for the Ecuador but both have been rejected. Brighton's stance remains that they do not want to sell despite the player's pleas on social media to be allowed a move. Arsenal insist they had nothing to do with the posts and are respectful of the Seagulls stance, but remain hopeful a deal could be done if Roberto De Zerbi's side can bring in a replacement. Although Brighton did complete a deal for Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari so it will be one to watch.
If they don't get Caicedo then the Gunners are exploring alternatives. Real Sociedad are adamant Martin Zubimendi will stay despite interest, while Ibrahima Bamba played 90 minutes for Vittoria Guimaraes on Monday night, which would seem to suggest he's set to stay. A deal for Youri Tielemans is also highly unlikely at this stage contrary to some reports.
One player who football.london understands Arsenal do have an interest in is Jorginho. The Italian has just six months remaining on his contract and Chelsea would be willing to let him go for the right price if they're able to bring in Enzo Fernandez from Benfica. The deal is not thought to be advanced at this stage, but it's one to keep an eye on as the day progresses.
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