Bryan Mbeumo passes Arsenal transfer audition as Mikel Arteta offered dream £78m January chance
Mikel Arteta will be hoping to greatly strengthen his Arsenal squad in 2025 with a number of January transfer window chances emerging. The Gunners do not currently look set to be busy in the winter trading period but that could change with possible market opportunities too good to turn down.
12 months ago, Arsenal did not sign any new players but in early 2024 Bukayo Saka was fit and available. With the Gunners talisman out for the next few months because of a hamstring injury, Arteta appears in dire need of a replacement.
Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri have both played on the right and impressed, but attacking reinforcement will likely be needed if Arsenal are to maintain their title pursuit. With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Gunners transfer rumours which includes two attackers that could make the switch to Emirates Stadium.
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Mbeumo shines vs Arsenal
Though Brentford lost 3-1 to Arsenal in Premier League action, Bryan Mbeumo was on top form. The 25-year-old, who has also been linked to Liverpool, found the back of the net after just 13 minutes with a clever left-footed finish past David Raya.
Having spent the majority of the game in his own half, with Arsenal dominating, Mbeumo also showed off his defensive work rate and smart decision-making when it came to the Bees' counter-attacks after winning possession back off the Gunners.
football.london says: Mbeumo would be an excellent signing for Arsenal, though it is unlikely anything happens in January. Thomas Frank quite literally laughed when asked about his star man leaving this month, but there is a real concern he could depart soon.
With his contract expiring in 2026, there is bound to be significant interest in his services throughout this year unless he agrees an extension. Though many believe Mbeumo is much older, he is actually only 25 and appears to be in his prime.
Brentford are sure to demand a significant fee to sanction a departure and it is also remains to be seen whether or not he would join Arsenal given the presence of Saka. In comparison to what he would experience at Liverpool with it likely he is the heir to Mohamed Salah, Mbeumo may not be keen to settle for bit-part role.
Kolo Muani offer
Unlike Mbeumo, it is very likely that Randal Kolo Muani leaves Paris Saint-Germain in January just 18 months on from signing for £78million and a move to the Premier League is possible. According to the Mail, the France international has been offered to Arsenal with it also claimed representatives of other players have also contacted the club.
A loan with obligation-to-buy is seen as the most likely deal for an exit but Arsenal accepting those terms is hard to imagine. While they cannot bring in any more players from other Premier League clubs on a temporary basis, they are free to agree deals from abroad.
football.london says: It is pretty clear that Kolo Muani has no future in the French capital and therefore it is certainly a situation worth monitoring for Arsenal throughout January.
Given how the Gunners have thus far coped without Saka, there is no clear need to bring in some fresh attacking reinforcement. With that being said, things could change very quickly and with so much still on the line, an extra body could be extremely valuable.
If there is a chance for Kolo Muani to join without the obligation clause, it is a scenario that comes with minimal risk and because of that, Arsenal should absolutely make a formal approach.