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Arsenal transfer news and rumours: 'Marco Reus lined up as Alexis Sanchez replacement'
Good morning and welcome to another day of Arsenal transfer news and rumours as the January window nears its conclusion:
News
Arsenal fans will not want to countenance the prospect of Alexis Sanchez leaving the Emirates, but according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli the club have already lined up a replacement.
He reports that Arsene Wenger is keen on Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus, something Telegraph Sport reported in December.
The German international can play on either flank or through the middle and would bring the speed and technical quality that Wenger loves in his offensive players.
That said, Reus's chequered injury record would be a worry given that the fee is likely to exceed £50 million though those wishing to indulge in gallows humour might say this makes him ideal for Arsenal.
Elsewhere, reserve right-back Mathieu Debuchy is trying to force a move back to France according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
Debuchy joined Arsenal in the summer of 2014 as Bacary Sagna's replacement but unfortunately suffered torn ankle ligaments and a dislocated shoulder in his first season.
In his absence, Hector Bellerin was given a chance and the outstanding 21-year-old has not taken a backward step since.
Speaking in his pre-Southampton press conference, Wenger was quite candid about the situation, saying: “I didn’t close the door because there’s a lot of competition on the right flank.
"Now Gabriel has been convincing on the right side as well, so I don’t close the door.
“What I just want to say is he (Debuchy) is fully fit now and so he is available to play and maybe even to have an experience somewhere else.”
Wenger also commented on speculation surrounding former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry who moved to Werder Bremen in the summer.
The Arsenal manager was keen to keep the talented German but with just a year remaining on his contract Arsenal had little option but to sell him after he made his desire to play first-team football clear.
Wenger however, has ruled out re-signing Gnabry or the presence of any 'buy-back clause' in his contract.
"No, we have sold him definitely to Werder Bremen,” Wenger said. “At the time it looked like Bayern Munich were behind it.
"I don't really know, but at the moment no, we do not re-sign him."
Rumours
Chelsea have joined the race to sign Torino striker Andrea Belotti, a player strongly linked with Arsenal earlier in the window.
Wenger labelled that speculation 'fake news', but according according to the Daily Star Antonio Conte is prepared to spend £50 million to secure the Italian striker's future.
A re-cap of yesterday's news and rumours
- Arsenal have been given a major boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, with reports in Spain suggesting that the forward is unhappy in Spain.
- The Times are reporting that Pep Guardiola has not given up on signing right-back Hector Bellerin for Manchester City.
- Arsene Wenger is reportedly happy to let young forward Chuba Akpom leave on loan this month, with Aston Villa leading the race for the 21-year-old.
- It has been confirmed that midfielder Gedion Zelalem has joined Dutch second-division side VVV-Venlo on loan for the rest of the season