6pm Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Chelsea build-up, Aubameyang eyed by Barcelona THIS window, Kurzawa and Boateng LATEST – The Sun
ARSENAL are looking to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, with a deal for left-back Layvin Kurzawa appearing to be close to complete.
But the Gunners may yet have to wait until summer to sign the left-back, if PSG boss Thomas Tuchel gets his way.
And Arsenal could also see star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang depart this month, with Barcelona keen to replace Luis Suarez with the Gabon striker.
Get all the latest Gunners news and transfer gossip here…
BLADES RAID
Sheffield United would consider selling midfielder John Fleck but only if their £20million valuation is met with growing interest from Arsenal.
Fleck, 28, has played a key part in Chris Wilder’s side this season as they continue their fine start to life back in the Premier League.
Wilder’s side are seventh in the league, only six points off the top four but they may be left with no choice but to sell the Scottish midfielder if he continues his fine form.
Since joining Wilder’s side on a free transfer in 2016, Fleck has played a major part in dragging the club from League One to the top flight and his performances earned him a call-up to the Scottish national side.
The former Rangers man has made 160 appearances for Sheffield United, scoring 13 goals and supplying 41 assists from midfield.
GAB GUNNER GO
Ian Wright reckons Arsenal could be facing an uphill struggle to keep Brazilian starlet Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners legend believes the forward's prolific form could make him a target for Europe's biggest clubs.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live Wright said: “We're lucky to have him and if he carries on improving the way he is, then it's going to be very difficult to keep hold of him.
“He's so hungry. I think it's only Jadon Sancho as a teenager who has scored more goals than him in the top five leagues so he's somebody that has definitely got something in him.”
Martinelli, 18, has settled in well in the squad following his £6m move from Brazilian club Ituano.
AUBA THE TOP
ARSENAL pay Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £50,000 every time he starts a match that they win.
And they agreed to give him a £2.26million Champions League bonus when he joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.
The Gabon striker, 30, reportedly received the payment even though the Gunners did not qualify for Europe's top tournament.
Mikel Arteta's side have won six games this season to sit tenth in the table.
Aubameyang – who has been linked with a move to Barcelona – has played in all six, meaning he has pocketed an extra £300,000 on the side.
And Gunners chiefs agreed to pay him a £300,000 bonus for 25 goals and assists in a season.
Auba managed this in the 2018/19 season when he scored 22 goals and racked up five assists in the Prem alone.
And he is on course for it this season too, with 16 goals and one assist in all competitions so far.
All in all it means Arsenal agreed to pay a massive £18.2m on top of his £198,000-a-week salary.
WRIGHT TO BE CONCERNED?
Gabriel Martinelli has been a rare shining light in what's been a desperately disappointing season so far for Arsenal.
Little was expected when the 18-year-old arrived to little fanfare for £6million in the summer, but the teenager has impressed with nine goals in 20 appearances.
Despite Martinelli's Gunners career having just started, however, club legend Ian Wright is ALREADY worried about losing the Brazilian forward.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “When you see him you can see there is a hunger and a determination about him. I've been in contact with him with texts and things, you can see that all he wants to do is do well.
“He's so hungry. I think it's only Jadon Sancho as a teenager who has scored more goals than him in the top five leagues so he's somebody that has definitely got something in him.
“We're lucky to have him and if he carries on improving the way he is, then it's going to be very difficult to keep hold of him.
“If they can create chances, the way he moves into the box, he's going to score goals and that is what we need to concentrate on with Arsenal, scoring more goals and creating more chances.”
AUBA'S INFLUENCE
Gunners star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has today been linked with a January move to Barcelona.
Just how much of a blow would losing their skipper be for the Emirates, though?
Well the numbers reveal that the 30-year-old's goals have won Arsenal an extra 13 points this season, without which they would be BOTTOM of the Premier League table.
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