Arsenal transfer update: Xhaka replacement ready, Saliba to leave on loan, Guendouzi update

Emirates Stadium-Arsenal

Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira eyed

Arsenal are reportedly plotting a January move for Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira as Mikel Arteta scours the transfer market for midfield reinforcements.

With Thomas Partey out for weeks due to injury and Granit Xhaka not looking at his best, Arteta is devoid of options in the middle of the park.

Vieira, 20, holds a release clause worth 27m pounds after becoming a top talent in the Portuguese top flight. However, the Gunners face competition from Ligue 1 club Marseille for the signing of Vieira.

Arsenal planning to offload Saliba

Arsenal are open to selling William Saliba in January on loan after failing to make it to Arteta’s squad for the 2020/21 season. The Spanish manager later felt sorry for leaving the French defender behind and stated that the decision was due to the abundance of central defenders in the squad.

 I feel really bad for William Saliba,” Arteta said at the time. “Because we had so many central defenders, we decided to leave him out of the squad which was really hurtful for me to do.”

Now, the Gunners are looking to offload him on loan so that he can enjoy regular football elsewhere.

Hertha Berlin to sign Guendouzi permanently

Hertha Berlin chief Michael Preetz has insisted that they would like to sign Arsenal-bound Matteo Guendouzi on a permanent basis once his loan expires next summer. The French midfielder has found his feet in the Bundesliga after leaving the Emirates Stadium on loan in the summer.

Preetz said,”At the moment we are just happy that he is with us,”

“He helps us a lot and is a very exciting player. We won’t see anything else until summer.

“But the starting position is not the worst.

“His contract with Arsenal will only run for one year. There are only two options – either the British extend it or they sell it.”