Arsenal Failed Targets in the January Transfer Window

Arsenal, January transfer exits, winter window, failed targets

Without a doubt, it can be said that Arsenal had one of their worst transfer windows this January. Barring two deals for MLS players who will join at the end of the season, they failed to sign any senior player to bolster their squad. With no signings and six exits from the club, Mikel Arteta is now left with a very thin squad. The club, though, was linked with a host of different players. In this article, we analyse all the Arsenal targets that failed to materialise into signings.

Arsenal spent the highest among the top five European leagues in the summer transfer window. Fans were optimistic that the board will spend big again this time to boost their chances of securing Champions League football.

However, all their hopes were quashed and instead, the club only focused on offloading players from the squad. It was not like Edu and Arteta did not have specific targets for the winter transfer window. Here we discuss the players that were designated targets for Arsenal, but the club failed in securing their services.

Dusan Vlahovic

The biggest name of all the failed targets for Arsenal was undoubtedly Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic. There were reports that Arsenal even tabled an official bid for the Serbian striker after he refused to extend his contract, but lost the battle to Juventus.

Arteta had him on his wishlist since last summer. Even after knowing the Gunners’ concrete interest in him, Vlahovic was wary of the club’s chances of securing Champions League next season. Even Arsenal were sceptical of pursuing him full-heartedly due to his high wage demands and exorbitant agent fees.

Vlahovic has found the net 44 times in 98 Serie A games for Fiorentina. However, 38 of those came in 58 appearances in the last one-and-a-half seasons, with 21 league goals last season while he already has 17 goals this season so far.

Fiorentina president Commisso: "Vlahović deal was full of dishonest and liars. We opened talks with English clubs – every time a new offer came up, Vlahović and his agents said no. Their plan was the same as Mbappé with PSG: leave as a free agent and make money". 🟣 #Vlahovic

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2022

Thus, barring the high demands from the player’s side, he would have been a great addition to the squad. Game-time would have never been a problem, with Aubamyeng joining Barcelona after terminating his contract and Lacazette running hot and cold. If Arsenal fail to achieve the top four this season, this one transfer would surely pinch Arteta and the fans alike.

Alexander Isak

Having missed out on Vlahovic and Aubamyeng leaving the team, Arsenal needed a solid backup plan. Their second preference for the striker role was Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad. Rumour mills were sent on an overdrive when on 29th January the Swedish striker was spotted in London.

Arsenal fans were optimistic of a major deadline day transfer as the club had failed to sign any of their targets in January. However, that was not the case. He was just hanging out in the city with former Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, his current teammate at the Basque club.

Alexander Isak, Arsenal failed targets — Image Obtained via The Evening Standard

He has scored four goals in 18 La Liga appearances this season as well as three Europa League goals. Arsenal wanted to sign him after their failed pursuit of Vlahovic. However, Real Sociedad did not want to negotiate any amount lower than his £75m release clause. Reports suggest that the North London club will try again for the 22-year-old player in the summer, who has a contract until 2024.

Arthur Melo

Arsenal needed reinforcements in midfield and targeted Juventus’ Arthur Melo. But the club only wished to sign him on a six-month loan deal, rather than a long term deal. This irked Juventus, who wanted an 18-month loan deal, with a buy option included, to allow the player to leave. Arsenal even met with the representatives of the Brazilian midfielder, however, nothing was finalised.

More on Arthur Melo deal. After meeting between his agent and Arsenal today, Juventus asked for 18 months loan plus buy option to let Arthur leave 🇧🇷 #AFC

Arsenal have only offered a straight loan until end of the current season. Player keen on the move – but nothing agreed yet.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2022

Arthur has fallen out of favour with Massimiliano Allegri. The former Barca player has only 8 appearances in Serie A this season, with just 4 starts. The Brazilian wanted to move to be part of the Selecao squad for the World Cup later this year, and repeat his heroics like in the 2019 Copa America. However, his wish was not granted by the Turin club and the Gunners failed on another transfer.

Bruno Guimaraes

Arsenal desperately needed midfield signings this transfer window. Therefore, the club’s long lost love for Bruno Guimaraes returned once again as the January transfer window opened. However, the love story ended soon with fellow Premier League club Newcastle United succeeding in signing the Brazilian player. The newly Saudi-backed club finalised the deal with Olympique Lyon for a reported fee of £33.3m plus £6.5m in add-ons.

Guimaraes had been one of the top targets for Arsenal for over a year, but the club failed to seal a deal all this while. Newcastle, however, managed to complete negotiations while the player was away with the national team playing in the World Cup qualifiers. They even conducted medical at Belo Horizonte, in Brazil. Alas, if only Arsenal were this committed to bringing the player to the Emirates.

Dejan Kulusevski

Arsenal were in so desperate need of a forward that they even approached Juventus for Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede prefers to play in the right-wing but can play in multiple positions across the frontline such as number nine, attacking-mid and left-wing.

However, no deal was finalised and the player ended up going to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs agreed on an initial loan deal for £8.4m, with a mandatory buy clause activated through Champions League football or 15 starts.

Juventus signed Kulusevski from Parma in 2020. He had a decent start, with 7 goals and 7 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season. However, the 21-year-old has struggled for minutes this season under Allegri.

Arsenal wanted to take this advantage and sign him on loan with an option to buy. However, rivals Tottenham ended up swooping two players from Juventus, Kulusevski and Bentancur, with Conte and Paratici proving to be a major factor in their choice.

Douglas Luiz

With Arsenal withdrawing their interest in Arthur, they approached Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa. However, with the Steven Gerrard team having no replacement lined up for the central midfielder, it was tough to agree to a deal for the 23-year-old on such short notice. Mikel Arteta was Manchester City’s assistant manager when he was signed from Vasco Da Gama. After two loan stints with Girona, Villa signed the Brazilian international in 2019.

Luiz has established himself as a mainstay in Aston Villa’s midfield as well as for the Selecao. He has 17 Premier League appearances so far this season, with 16 starts. The Brazilian also has 3 assists to his name in the league. With Arsenal still short in the midfield department, it would not be surprising if the club again went after the player in the summer.

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