Arsenal set sights on £61m transfer with club ‘informed of plan’ after talks held | Football | Sport
The upcoming January transfer window is fast approaching, but Arsenal could be the most silent team when the market reopens next month. The Gunners are in a robust position with their squad, having invested heavily during the summer. As a result, Mikel Arteta has a deep bench, able to call upon quality alternatives when injuries hit the team. With Arsenal leading the Premier League and performing well in both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, attention will likely shift elsewhere during the winter months.
Any activity is expected to be either departures or future signings, allowing Andrea Berta to plan for more strategic moves in other markets. This includes next year’s summer transfer window, which offers further opportunities for squad rotation. While some stars are expected to depart, the Gunners have already identified targets for next year, including a left winger.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya of Eintracht Frankfurt is on the radar, with Sky Sports Germany reporting that Arsenal are keenly interested in the 20-year-old.
It’s claimed that initial talks have already been staged, with the north Londoners expressing their interest in the winger to Frankfurt. However, the move seems planned for next summer rather than January.
Bahoya, who remains under contract until 2029, is currently valued at around £61.2million. He joined Frankfurt from Angers in 2024, costing the German side around £7m.
Since then, the young winger has featured in 59 matches for his club, netting six goals and providing five assists.
As a right-footed player operating on the left wing, he’s adept at causing havoc for opposition full-backs both inside and outside, showing great promise for the future.
His potential move to Arsenal could provide depth, although he may not make an immediate impact given the strength of the Gunners’ wide options.
The left-wing position is currently contested by Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Eberechi Eze, creating healthy competition for the spot. This is crucial considering the number of matches across all competitions and the risk of injuries.
However, each of these players is at a different stage of their career. Trossard, in his early 30s, is at his peak but will approach the end of that in the coming years.
Eze, 27, is believed to be entering his prime while Martinelli, 24, is just beginning what is typically the peak period of a player’s career.
By bringing in someone like Bahoya, Arsenal would be investing in a young talent who could have a long-term impact if his development continues.
Given the current strength of the squad, with key players at their prime, Arsenal seem open to such strategic moves.
They recently secured deals for teenage Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente Del Valle, who will officially join in 2027 when they reach 18.
