ARSENAL have prioritised the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk after missing out on Joao Felix, according to reports.
Direct talks with Shakhtar Donetsk have continued this week, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Elsewhere, the Gunners will have to battle with rivals Tottenham for the signing of Brighton ace Leandro Trossard.
And Arsenal could also make a bid for Leicester's Youri Tielemans, who has attracted interest from Newcastle.
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- Jack Figg
Morning, Arsenal fans
All eyes are on Mykhailo Mudryk after the Gunners ducked out of the costly hunt for Joao Felix to focus on their main target.
Shakhtar Donetsk's Ukraine winger Mudryk is understood to be in more talks with Arsenal despite their two failed offers so far.
And the Gunners are tipped to fend off Chelsea's late challenge for the 22-year-old, who's been tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner.
Arsenal could fight Tottenham for Brighton's Belgium wideman Leandro Trossard.
But it appears the Gunners and Manchester United have paved the way for Chelsea to sign Felix on loan after declining to meet Atletico Madrid's demands for a £10million fee.
It's also claimed Arsenal might have to bid for Youri Tielemans this month rather than hope for a free transfer move in the summer.
That's because Newcastle are reportedly considering a bid for the Leicester midfielder.
Lastly, midfielder Miguel Azeez, 20, has joined Championship strugglers Wigan on loan for the rest of the campaign.
- Ian Tuckey
Felix deal ‘absolute madness’
Chelsea paying £10million to borrow Joao Felix for the rest of the season is “absolute madness”.
That’s the verdict of Ally McCoist after the Blues seemingly beat off Arsenal and Manchester United to the Atletico Madrid wideman.
Ex-Scotland striker McCoist “can’t believe” Chelsea are paying such a sum – plus the Portugal star’s wages.
The Gunners baulked at Atletico’s demands as they are more keen on Shakhtar Donetsk’ss Mykhailo Mudryk.
And McCoist told talkSPORT: “I’ve got to say I can’t believe we’re paying £10m for a loan now – absolute madness.
“I like Joao Felix [but] I don’t think he’s the answer to Chelsea’s problems.
“They need a centre-forward. Plus, I don’t think he’s consistent enough.
“I watched him closely at the World Cup and I thought he did some brilliant things. I thought he had one or two good games.
“But he’s one of those players, for me, he just leaves you wanting a little bit more.”
- Ian Tuckey
Ex-Gunner Auba could face Chelsea exit
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly attracting interest from Spain.
The Gabon and ex-Arsenal striker, 33, joined from Barcelona in the summer but has failed to hit peak form.
Aubameyang has played nine times in the Premier League, scoring just once following 13 goals in 18 games for Barca.
And his pathway to more starts could be further blocked if Chelsea complete the loan signing of Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
Aubameyang missed Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup loss at Manchester City with a back problem.
But he’s expected to be fit for Saturday’s home Prem clash with Crystal Palace.
- Ian Tuckey
Azeez reunites with Betsy
Arsenal starlet Miguel Azeez has joined Championship strugglers Wigan on loan for the rest of the campaign.
The midfielder, 20, was borrowed by Portsmouth last season.
And he’s reunited with Latics’ assistant manager Kevin Betsy, who oversaw him with England youths and as an Arsenal kid.
- Ian Tuckey
Thierry denies chasing Belgium job
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry denies he's contacted Belgian football chiefs over the national team boss job.
Roberto Martinez quit as manage following a poor world Cup.
And ex-France striker Henry, who was Martinez's No 2, hit back at talk he's made an approach for the position.
He told Sky Sports: "I would like to make it abundantly clear that contrary to written reports, I have never contacted the Belgian FA offering my services as the new first team coach.
"I think it's vital that the truthful version of facts is always presented."
- Ian Tuckey
Emery 'eyes Guendouzi reunion'
Matteo Guendouzi could reunite with ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
It's thought Aston Villa chief Emery is in for the Marseille midfielder.
French outlet L’Equipe believe a Premier League club has already made an approach for the France ace this month
And that team could well be Villa.
Guendouzi, 23, only move to Marseille from the Emirates last July for £9.7million.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners focus on Mykhailo
Arsenal ducked out of a loan bidding war for Joao Felix to focus on Mykhailo Mudryk.
That's the claim of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano as Chelsea close on a deal for Atletico Madrid winger Felix.
Romano insists the Gunners' January transfer priority has always been Shakhtar Donetsk wideman Mudryk.
That helped Chelsea fend off Arsenal and Manchester United for Felix as Atletico wanted a large loan fee plus his wages paid in full.
Romano told his YouTube channel: "They (Arsenal) had conversations with Joao Felix.
"But they don’t want to spend around €15-16m plus taxes for the Joao Felix loan deal, so the focus is on Mykhailo Mudryk.”
- Ian Tuckey
Smith Rowe finally breaks pain barrier
Emile Smith Rowe is convinced he's over the four-year agony which has blighted his senior Arsenal career.
The 22-year-old England midfielder returned – as a sub – in Monday’s 3-0 FA Cup win at Oxford.
And he revealed it was virtually the first time that he was able to play free of the pain in his groin which has plagued him since he first broke into the senior team and left him feeling discomfort every time he kicked the ball.
After four brief sub appearances in the first two months of the campaign, Arsenal medics decided Smith Rowe should have surgery in September to finally resolve the problem.
Now he says: “People don’t realise I’ve had this injury since I was 18 and it’s been affecting me all that time.
“It’s been the exact same pain from back when I was loaned to Leipzig and it’s been hard to deal with it over all the years. So I’m really glad that it’s finally over.
“The surgery has been successful and I’m feeling really good at last. I have come out the other side, I’m fully fit and now I want to kick on.
“It’s been the longest lay-off of my career and it’s been tough for me watching the boys without being able to contribute.
“But I can’t really complain because the team is top of the League and playing really well.”
- Ian Tuckey
Spurs rated serious contenders for Trossard
Tottenham are keen on a January move for reported Arsenal target Leandro Trossard.
Spurs are looking to add one or two additions to their squad this window with right wing-back and an attacking player the priorities.
Versatile Brighton star Trossard, 28, is on their radar for the latter role.
But Arsenal are just one of the other Premier League clubs interested.
The Belgian’s contract with the Seagulls expires at the end of the season.
But SunSport understands Albion have the option to extend it by a further year, which they will do if he is still at the club beyond the January window.
Trossard has seven goals in the Premier League this season, including a hat-trick at Liverpool in October, though his form has nosedived since returning from the World Cup.
- Ian Tuckey
Aubameyang 'wanted in Spain'
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly attracting interest from Spain.
The Gabon and ex-Arsenal striker, 33, joined from Barcelona in the summer but has failed to hit peak form.
Aubameyang has played nine times in the Premier League, scoring just once following 13 goals in 18 games for Barca.
And his pathway to more starts could be further blocked if Chelsea complete the loan signing of Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
Aubameyang missed Sunday's 4-0 FA Cup loss at Manchester City with a back problem.
But he's expected to be fit for Saturday's home Prem clash with Crystal Palace.
- Ian Tuckey
'Chelsea lack plan for how to use Felix'
Chelsea have been accused of lacking a "project" as they prepare to pay "absurd" money for Joao Felix.
Arsenal and Manchester United baulked at splashing a huge loan fee and full wages for the Atletico Madrid attacker.
And journalist Julien Laurens doubts the Blues have a proper plan for how to use the Portugal star.
Laurens told ESPN: “It’s very close, it was validated by Todd Boehly, the club and Jorge Mendes.
“The line they are trying to brief everybody is that he chose ‘the Chelsea project ahead of Arsenal or Manchester United’, which, let’s be honest here, there is no project here.
“Man United and Arsenal didn’t want to pay the absurd amount of money that this deal would cost for four months. "
"He is a top player that would work in a team that is functioning, which isn’t the case of Chelsea football club right now.
He’s not the answer, certainly not his own, to resolve all their attacking issues."
- Ian Tuckey
Would Trossard say no again?
Brighton's Leandro Trossard could get a second chance from Arsenal – three years after the Belgium winger rejected the Gunners.
The former Genk star, 28, has impressed since moving to the Prem in 2020.
And Tottenham are also said to be keen on him.
- Ian Tuckey
Wigan complete Miguel loan
Arsenal starlet Miguel Azeez has joined Championship strugglers Wigan on loan for the rest of the campaign.
The midfielder, 20, was borrowed by Portsmouth last season.
And he's reunited with Latics' assistant manager Kevin Betsy, who oversaw him with England youths and as an Arsenal kid.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal youngster in talks with Wigan
Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez is reportedly in talks with Wigan over a January transfer.
Azeez has spent the majority of this season on loan at Spanish second-division side UD Ibiza.
However, Arsenal re-called the youngster after making just 10 league appearances.
And The Athletic report that the 20-year-old is in talks with Wigan over a loan move.
- Ian Tuckey
'Toon interest could spark Arsenal bid for Youri'
Arsenal might have to bid for Youri Tielemans this month – to fend off Newcastle.
CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs believes the Toon's interest means the Gunners can no longer bide their time over a possible free transfer move for the Leicester midfielder in the summer.
Jacobs said: “It’s very interesting because we know that Arsenal’s interest in Tielemans hasn’t gone away.
The price just hasn’t been right for them historically.
“But if a club like Newcastle choose to come calling, it changes the dynamic and it forces Arsenal to make a decision.
Are they prepared to pay a fee for Tielemans? If not, they would have to wait and see whether or not he would go elsewhere mid-season or wait for them to come calling when he’s available on a free transfer.”
- Ian Tuckey
Felix deal 'absolute madness'
Chelsea paying £10million to borrow Joao Felix for the rest of the season is "absolute madness".
That's the verdict of Ally McCoist after the Blues seemingly beat off Arsenal and Manchester United to the Atletico Madrid wideman.
Ex-Scotland striker McCoist "can't believe" Chelsea are paying such a sum – plus the Portugal star's wages.
The Gunners baulked at Atletico's demands as they are more keen on Shakhtar Donetsk'ss Mykhailo Mudryk.
And McCoist told talkSPORT: “I’ve got to say I can’t believe we’re paying £10m for a loan now – absolute madness.
"I like Joao Felix [but] I don’t think he’s the answer to Chelsea’s problems.
"They need a centre-forward. Plus, I don’t think he’s consistent enough.
“I watched him closely at the World Cup and I thought he did some brilliant things. I thought he had one or two good games.
"But he’s one of those players, for me, he just leaves you wanting a little bit more.”
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal Premier League stats
Here’s a look at Arsenal’s Premier League stats so far this season.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners and Toon linked to Diaby
Newcastle are tipped to rival Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby.
The Gunners' main wing target is still Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhailo Mudryk.
But pacy France star Diaby, 23, is rated a cheaper alternative.
And the Magpies are among the other clubs linked with the former PSG wideman.
- Ian Tuckey
Rice urged to snub Utd and Chelsea for Arsenal
Emmanuel Petit has urged Manchester United and Chelsea target Declan Rice to join Arsenal.
England midfielder Rice, 23, is heavily tipped to leave West Ham in the summer
And ex-Gunners and Chelsea stylish Petit believes only one of his two former London clubs is heading the right way.
The former France star told Compare.bet: “I know that Chelsea wants him, but if I were Declan Rice, I wouldn’t go to Chelsea, I would go to Arsenal.
The two clubs are going in different directions and the way Arsenal is playing.”
“He would be the perfect option for Arsenal.”
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners ditched Felix bid to focus on Mudryk
Arsenal ducked out of a loan bidding war for Joao Felix to focus on Mykhailo Mudryk.
That's the claim of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano as Chelsea close on a deal for Atletico Madrid winger Felix.
Romano insists the Gunners' January transfer priority has always been Shakhtar Donetsk wideman Mudryk.
That helped Chelsea fend off Arsenal and Manchester United for Felix as Atletico wanted a large loan fee plus his wages paid in full.
Romano told his YouTube channel: "They (Arsenal) had conversations with Joao Felix.
"But they don’t want to spend around €15-16m plus taxes for the Joao Felix loan deal, so the focus is on Mykhailo Mudryk.”
- Ian Tuckey
Eintracht fight to keep Randal
Eintracht Frankfurt insist rumoured Manchester United and Arsenal target Randal Kolo Muani is NOT for sale this month.
The fourth-placed Bundesliga side are determined to keep the French World Cup striker, 24, as long as possible.
Eintracht also believe the former Nantes star can best develop his career with them.
- Ian Tuckey
Real keen to keep Asensio
Real Madrid have a number of top stars whose contracts expire in the summer.
Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and potentially Toni Kroos are expected to renew.
While Dani Ceballos and Mariano Diaz could depart as free agents.
But according to The Athletic, Marco Asensio could join Modric, Benzema and Kroos in staying at Real.
The Spanish and European champions are willing to negotiate a new contract for the forward, with manager Carlo Ancelotti informing the player that he will be counting on him.
Asensio has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League, with both Man Utd and Arsenal interested.
- Ian Tuckey
Felix jets into London…
Joao Felix is flying to London to complete his Chelsea move – to the frustration of Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Atletico Madrid winger's girlfriend Margarida Corceiro uploaded a photo to Instagram on a private jet on the way to the capital and captioned it 'Morning' as she travelled with him.
This comes hours after the Portugal ace was filmed by El Chiringuito TV as the passenger in a black Mercedes as he made his journey to complete the transfer.
But the deal still reportedly rests on one major condition being met.
The struggling Blues joined the race for the Atletico forward to stun Arsenal and Manchester United.
They will pay a £10million loan fee to bring Felix, 23, to Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the season.
According to Marca, the paperwork is almost complete to confirm the transfer, with NO option to make the switch permanent.
However, the Spanish newspaper insist Atletico will not sign off the contracts just yet though.
- Ian Tuckey
Barca could sell 'Arsenal target Kounde'
Cash-strapped Barcelona are reportedly ready to have a fire sale of stars as they look to balance the books.
The club spent a combined figure of around £150m to bring in Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Arsenal target Jules Kounde in the summer.
And in order to do this, they were forced to take drastic measures such as selling a 25 per cent stake of their in-house production company, as well as ten per cent of their TV rights for the next 25 years.
To ensure they don’t end up in the same situation this summer, the club are willing to consider the sale of a number of big name players.
Brazil international winger Raphinha is one of them, with the club hoping to recoup the £55m they paid to sign him from Leeds.
Ferran Torres is also reportedly allowed to leave for the right price, having joined from Man City for £55m two years ago.
And perhaps most surprisingly, the club are said to be prepared to listen to offers for 20-year-old Ansu Fati.
Fati was previously a top target for Man Utd, with the club reportedly agreeing a £135m deal to sign him in 2020 before Barca pulled the plug.
Such was the high regard that the Spain starlet was held in, that the club handed him Lionel Messi’s number ten shirt following the World Cup winner’s departure.
But journalist Jose Alvarez told El Chiringuito that Barca have not been satisfied with the performances of Fati and the two other players and could consider an offer in order to keep Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele.
- Ian Tuckey
Emile puts 4-year pain behind him
Emile Smith Rowe is convinced he's over the four-year agony which has blighted his senior Arsenal career.
The 22-year-old England midfielder returned – as a sub – in Monday’s 3-0 FA Cup win at Oxford.
And he revealed it was virtually the first time that he was able to play free of the pain in his groin which has plagued him since he first broke into the senior team and left him feeling discomfort every time he kicked the ball.
After four brief sub appearances in the first two months of the campaign, Arsenal medics decided Smith Rowe should have surgery in September to finally resolve the problem.
Now he says: “People don’t realise I’ve had this injury since I was 18 and it’s been affecting me all that time.
“It’s been the exact same pain from back when I was loaned to Leipzig and it’s been hard to deal with it over all the years. So I’m really glad that it’s finally over.
“The surgery has been successful and I’m feeling really good at last. I have come out the other side, I’m fully fit and now I want to kick on.
“It’s been the longest lay-off of my career and it’s been tough for me watching the boys without being able to contribute.
“But I can’t really complain because the team is top of the League and playing really well.”
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