Fabrizio Romano Confirms Arsenal Targeting Three Key Deals Before January Transfer Window
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s priority is securing the futures of three key players with fresh contracts before the January transfer window opens.
The Gunners have enjoyed a sensational start to the campaign, with Mikel Arteta’s side currently topping the Premier League table.
Their impressive form has put them in a strong position, leading second-place Manchester City by a comfortable margin and sitting significantly ahead of reigning champions Liverpool.
While Arsenal invested heavily in strengthening their squad during the summer, bringing in eight new players at a total cost exceeding £250 million, there’s speculation that they might be tempted to further bolster their ranks in the winter.
The team’s current favorable standing could encourage additional investment as they aim to maintain their title challenge.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s priority now isn’t primarily new signings.
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Following William Saliba’s contract extension, the club will largely devote their attention to securing long-term deals with other important members of the current squad.
Romano explained on his online platform that Arsenal had a successful summer in the transfer market, so their main objective has shifted towards retaining key players.
He also revealed that the club is adding a new member to their scouting department, specifically noting that this individual is coming from Italy, similar to how Andrea Berta, formerly of Atletico Madrid, is also Italian.
This new addition, Maurizio Micheli, will further bolster Arsenal’s recruitment efforts.
Maurizio Micheli, a crucial member of Napoli’s staff and instrumental in their recent success, is departing the club immediately. He has informed them of his decision to join Arsenal.
Micheli, along with the previous sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, was vital in identifying and securing some of Napoli’s top players, including stars like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae.
He was a prominent figure in the player scouting process and in determining which acquisitions were the best fit for the team.
In other news, Arsenal are actively focusing on extending contracts with their existing players.
The club places a high value on securing these deals, as demonstrated by the recent contract extension for William Saliba, as well as successful agreements with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
Arsenal consistently prioritizes securing the futures of their key players. I also wanted to highlight progress on three further players.
Regarding Bukayo Saka, negotiations between Arsenal and his representatives are progressing positively. While discussions are ongoing, both sides appear to be in agreement on a new contract.
Saka’s desire is to remain at Arsenal, and the club clearly wants him to stay. Therefore, communication and progress between Saka and Arsenal are currently very encouraging.
Arsenal has initiated discussions with Jurrien Timber regarding a contract extension. Similar to other negotiations, these talks are currently in progress.
Mikel Arteta highly values Timber’s versatility and potential, recognizing his current strong performance and believing in his capacity for further improvement.
Therefore, the club is keen to secure his future with a new deal, with conversations proceeding positively, as they are with Bukayo Saka.
These two contract situations are a key focus for Arsenal at the moment. It’s also worth noting that David Raya recently received an improved salary, reflecting his excellent contributions to the team, both recently and consistently.
While he was content, the raise served to further reward and recognize his value.
Looking ahead, and although it won’t be an immediate development, Arsenal are seriously considering extending Declan Rice’s current agreement.
This won’t happen overnight; it requires careful deliberation and planning. However, the club intends to engage in discussions with Rice and present him with a revised, more rewarding contract.
This is a key element of their future strategy and a topic actively being addressed behind the scenes. Therefore, keep an eye on this situation, as Rice is definitely a leading candidate internally for a new and well-earned deal that reflects his importance to the team.
