Arsenal are in need of defensive reinforcements in January, after a number of injuries and poor performances at the back, but which players have been linked with a winter transfer to North London?
Fernando Calero
- Age: 23
- Position: Centre-Back
- Contract until: 2021
- Club: Real Valladolid
- Estimated transfer value: £7.2m
Arsenal reportedly ‘registered their interest‘ with Real Valladolid for their defender, Fernando Calero, at the start of December.
23-year-old Calero has caught the eye of several top European clubs this season, including the Gunners who have also been attracted by his reported €11m release clause. At this point, however, it should be noted the release clause has not been confirmed. Calero’s current contract runs until 2021.
A centreback who can play left or right, the right-footed Spaniard struggles in the air so that’s something he’d certainly need to work on if he arrived at Arsenal.
Unlike many others we’ve seen play back there for Arsenal over recent times, however, Calero has no issues with his concentration throughout a game. Plus, his ability to position himself in order to block shots is very good.
The player recently visited London, though he claimed afterwards it was just for a holiday, not to complete a transfer. We’ll see if his trip convinced him that he could live in the city permanently.
Click ‘Next’ for more centre-backs linked with a January move to Arsenal
Gary Cahill
- Age: 33
- Position: Centre-Back
- Contract until: 2019
- Club: Chelsea
- Estimated transfer value: £9m
There have been plenty of rumours circulating that Arsenal could be interested in a move for Gary Cahill in January. Unai Emery is running low on centre-back options, what with all the injuries in the back line this season, and the English defender seems to be out of favour at Chelsea.
Maurizio Sarri has admitted he won’t stand in Cahill’s way if the defender wants to move on in January. Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday’s Europa League game against Vidi earlier this month, he explained that Cahill isn’t in his plans for the season, as the defender isn’t good enough technically.
That’s not exactly surprising to hear, as Cahill has played just 21 minutes of Premier League football this season. He’s made the Chelsea squad for just six of their 16 league matches, but he has started six of their seven Europa League and League Cup games, captaining the side on each occasion.
The question is whether Unai Emery would be any more comfortable than Sarri signing a defender who isn’t as strong technically. Undoubtedly, Arsenal could use a defender with experience who can strengthen the side without possession. If that comes at the expense of being able to play out from the back though, it may not be worth it.
Click ‘Next’ for more centre-backs linked with a January move to Arsenal
Mario Hermoso
- Age: 23
- Position: Centre-back
- Contract until: 2020
- Club: Real Betis
- Estimated transfer value: £18m
Recent reports from Spain suggest Arsenal are considering paying the €40m release clause for Espanyol defender Mario Hermoso in January.
Hermoso joined Espanyol from Real Madrid in 2017, having never appeared for Madrid’s first team after coming through their academy. Since then, the 23-year-old has really made a name for himself in La Liga.
Suddenly, there are rumours that Real Madrid want to activate their buy-back clause of €7.5m. However, Arsenal are also very interested, according to a report from Marca.
Hermoso had played every game of Espanyol’s league campaign before this month, scoring a couple of goals and helping them keep five clean sheets. It’s no surprise the big clubs are starting to take an interest, and that interest will only increase after the Spaniard made his international debut last month.
However, he is currently out with an injury which was expected to last around a month, so he should be back in early January.
Click ‘Next’ for more centre-backs linked with a January move to Arsenal
Eric Bailly
- Age: 24
- Position: Centre-Back
- Contract until: 2020
- Club: Manchester United
- Estimated transfer value: £27m
Reports in the last month suggested Jose Mourinho was ‘ready to sell’ Eric Bailly, as the former Manchester United manager looked to free up some space for a replacement centre-back. Sky Sports called the centre-back ‘out of favour’ in Manchester, and say defensive reinforcements might be on Arsenal’s radar.
The Telegraph wrote that Mourinho was ‘prepared to cash in’ on Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo to bring in a new defender. However, it was never clear whether Manchester United were in favour of the sale or not, and now we’ll have to wait and see if they’re planning to offload him with a new manager in charge.
If Bailly does leave, the Express write that Arsenal have been touted with a move for him. Unai Emery knows the 24-year-old pretty well from his time in Spain, as the Ivory Coast international played for Espanyol and Villarreal whilst Emery was with Sevilla.
With Villarreal, the defender was massively impressive, and a big part of the La Liga side’s fantastic defensive record in 2015/16. For whatever reason, he’s never quite been able to consistently rediscover that form with United. Still so young for a centre-back, perhaps a move would help him get back to his best.
Click ‘Next’ for more centre-backs linked with a January move to Arsenal
Daniele Rugani
- Age: 24
- Position: Centre-Back
- Contract until: 2021
- Club: Juventus
- Estimated transfer value: £19.8m
Arsenal are ‘seriously monitoring’ the availability of Juventus’ Daniele Rugani, according to reports in the English media.
Express Sport write that Arsenal are following the centre-back closely, though Chelsea are also favourites to move for the 24-year-old. Various reports suggest Rugani would cost between €35m (£31m) and €50m (£44m).
Rugani has a contract with Juventus until 2021, and in the past, he’s chosen to commit his future to the club rather than pushing for a move. His agent admitted over the summer that he’d previously held talks with Arsenal over a transfer, but at the time he insisted the defender was happy with Juventus.
However, the signs suggest that’s starting to change. Rugani has really struggled to get into the Juventus team this season, only making six appearances in all competitions (five starts). He was also recently tagged in an Instagram post by girlfriend Michela Persico with the two of them learning English.
With a couple of years left on his contract and seemingly no place in Juventus’ first choice team, January could be the perfect time for Rugani to move on. Whether that’s to Arsenal, we’ll have to wait and see.