Arsenal transfer Live : Watkins signs, Mathys Tel loan, double exit – Arsenal striker transfer plan confirmed by club director…

Arsenal’s Transfer Ambitions: Watkins Interest, Mathys Tel Loan, and Potential Departures

Mikel Arteta is poised to make significant moves in the final days of the January transfer window, with the possibility of four new signings on the horizon.

Although Arsenal has yet to finalize any major deals this month, interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has intensified, potentially altering the club’s trajectory before the deadline.

Recent reports indicate that Arsenal has made a bid for Watkins, estimated at around £45 million, which Aston Villa has rejected.

The striker’s performance in the Champions League match against Celtic, where he played a pivotal role in a 4-2 victory, further underscores his value to the team.

Both Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta have addressed the situation regarding Watkins, but neither has provided definitive updates, with Arteta remaining particularly reserved.

Despite this, it appears that Arsenal is eager to secure Watkins during this transfer window, although complications have arisen.

Watkins’ teammate, Jhon Duran, is on the verge of a remarkable £64 million transfer to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

The simultaneous departure of both players seems improbable, which means Arsenal may need to rely on either a breakdown of Duran’s transfer or Aston Villa’s ability to find a suitable replacement.

Additionally, Chelsea’s Joao Felix has been mentioned as a potential addition to Villa Park, which could influence Watkins’ situation.

Given that Duran’s transfer has not yet been finalized, there remains a slim possibility for Arsenal to submit an improved offer for Watkins.

If both players were to leave, Aston Villa would likely seek to bolster their squad with new signings, including Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, who is also attracting interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham, with the latter reportedly willing to pay £50.2 million for a permanent deal.

The 19-year-old is anticipated to take his time in determining his future, and he may come to the conclusion that a transfer to Arsenal is a logical choice.

After spending a significant portion of the season on the sidelines, Tel is eager for playing time, which Arsenal can provide, especially in the coming months due to the injuries of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

Ethan Nwaneri’s return from a minor setback has arrived at an opportune moment, but Arteta will likely be cautious not to overuse him.

Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz could all benefit from some rest, allowing Havertz the opportunity to return to midfield while the other two compete for the left-wing position.

On another note, Raheem Sterling has faced considerable challenges since his loan from Chelsea.

Although Arteta has stated that Sterling will not be returning to Stamford Bridge, if a loan deal for Tel can be arranged, it may be worthwhile to consider terminating his loan in favor of the younger player.

Regarding other potential departures, a third loan move to the EFL for Nathan Butler-Oyedeji could still be approved.

A permanent transfer this summer is a genuine possibility for the 22-year-old, making it sensible to allow him to leave and gain more playing experience over the next six months.