Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have suffered a huge blow as they won’t be able to sign a new defensive midfielder in the winter transfer window.
According to a report by Football Insider, Arsenal are keen on adding a new defensive midfielder to their ranks in the winter. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz have been on their radar for a while now.
But, they won’t be able to sign either of them as their transfer budget for the January window has been revealed. While the report doesn’t mention an exact figure, it does state that they will not have much funds to play with.
The Gunners were looking to raise funds by offloading Thomas Partey. They were on the lookout for a potential destination. But, the 30-year-old has recently picked up a long-term injury which could hinder his move away from the club. And, without funds, Arteta won’t be able to land either of the defensive midfielder in the winter.
Mikel Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal has seen significant progress. But, he recently recognized the need for additional depth, particularly in the defensive midfield position. Arteta and his recruitment team have monitored Zubimendi and Luiz for over 18 months.
The Gunners tried signing Luiz back in 2022 but they failed to land him at the club. While they wanted to push for his services in the winter, their transfer budget suggests they might have to wait until the summer.
Luiz is a key figure at Aston Villa under Unai Emery, has attracted attention for his exceptional form. Despite interest from various top clubs, Villa is keen on having him in their ranks for as long as possible.
Meanwhile, Zubimendi has been a consistent performer for Real Sociedad. The 24-year-old has come up the ranks at the Spanish club and has established himself as one of the mainstays of the team.
Arsenal have been monitoring him and would love to have him at their disposal in the winter. But, they can afford to make a move at this point in time. And, even Sociedad are unlikely to let him leave midway through the season.
