ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has confirmed his agent is looking at a move away from Arsenal in January for him.
The striker, 30, is in the final few months of his £200,000-a-week deal and can open talks with overseas clubs in January.
And the club have submitted a bid for Romanian starlet Ianis Stoica, 18, according to reports.
The Gunners are keen on the FCSB midfielder along with a host of top clubs.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka is hoping to be back in the next month, with recovery going well.
He suffered medial knee ligament damage during the North London derby and has been out ever since.
Xhaka is open to leaving Arsenal for Borussia Monchengladbach on a FREE when his contract expires.
Renato Sanches has responded to reports linking him with a host of clubs, including Arsenal.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Etienne Fermie
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Alexandre Lacazette admits he is looking to leave Arsenal – and could even quit in January.
He told Telefoot: “Of course, my agents are starting to look to the right and to the left.
“But not until January, I really want to focus myself on something.
“And then we will see what is on offer, if the challenges are interesting, if there are beautiful projects, how they are counting on me.
“So there are still many questions, I prefer to wait until January to position myself.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal sporting director Edu admits he has already talked to Arsene Wenger over a return to the club.
Echoing Mikel Arteta’s sentiments, Edu said: “It was great to see Arsene Wenger the other day at the screening for his new documentary.
“I told him I would like to see him a bit closer to the club and to myself as well in the future.
“That would be a real, real pleasure and special for everyone here.”
Finally, Rio Ferdinand has labelled Arsenal goalie Aaron Ramsdale ‘phenomenal’.
The ex-Man Utd ace said: “Ramsdale’s been an inspired signing.
“There was a lot of people doubting. He’s had two or three relegations in his young career.
“But the saves he’s making on a regular basis, he’s actually enabling [Arsenal] to keep clean sheets. Six clean sheets in 10 games, it’s phenomenal.”
- Anthony Chapman
NEXT UP
Let's take a look at Arsenal's next five games…
- Anthony Chapman
MANE MAN
Ousmane Dembele is reportedly ready to quit Barcelona on a free transfer this summer.
Sport claims the Frenchman is not willing to extend his £325,000-a-week contract with the Nou Camp club.
And that has opened the door for suitors to make approaches in January.
Arsenal have long been linked with Dembele and are said to be keen alongside Newcastle and Man Utd.
- Anthony Chapman
TOUGH TASK
David De Gea has admitted Arsenal will be a hard challenge for new Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick.
He said: “I think from [the draw against Chelsea] we should take a lot of confidence.
“We know Arsenal are in a good moment, they play well, they are improving, so it’s going to be a big game.”
- Anthony Chapman
BUK THE TREND
Bukayo Saka has missed out on this year's Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony.
The Arsenal winger finished 6th in the rankings as Barcelona's Pedri took the crown.
Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham came 2nd, while Man Utd's Mason Greenwood was 5th.
- Anthony Chapman
YOU WHAT?
Arsenal and Man Utd are reportedly set to battle it out over Sevilla striker Youssef El-Nesyri.
Super Deporte claims the goal poacher is being lined up for a move to England next summer.
Arsenal look set to lose Alexandre Lacazette on a free transfer and will need a new hitman.
United could be in the same boat too with Edinson Cavani also expected to depart when his contract expires.
- Anthony Chapman
BUK THE TREND
Mikel Arteta admits he is unsure if Bukayo Saka will be fit to face Man Utd this week.
He revealed: “It was an action where he said he felt something and wasn’t comfortable to continue.
“We’ll have to assess him and probably scan him and see if there’s any injury there.
“He felt something muscular and let’s see what it is.”
- Anthony Chapman
RAM RAID
Rio Ferdinand has labelled Arsenal goalie Aaron Ramsdale ‘phenomenal’.
The ex-Man Utd ace said: “Ramsdale’s been an inspired signing.
“There was a lot of people doubting. He’s had two or three relegations in his young career.
“But the saves he’s making on a regular basis, he’s actually enabling [Arsenal] to keep clean sheets. Six clean sheets in 10 games, it’s phenomenal.”
- Anthony Chapman
LACA INTEREST
Alexandre Lacazette admits he is looking to leave Arsenal – and could even quit in January.
He told Telefoot: “Of course, my agents are starting to look to the right and to the left.
“But not until January, I really want to focus myself on something.
“And then we will see what is on offer, if the challenges are interesting, if there are beautiful projects, how they are counting on me.
“So there are still many questions, I prefer to wait until January to position myself.”
- Anthony Chapman
PANIC AT THE ISCO
Real Madrid are reportedly ready to sell Arsenal target Isco in January.
Mundo Deportivo claims the playmaker has no future under Carlo Ancelotti.
And long-term suitors Arsenal could make a loan approach this winter with the view to a permanent summer deal.
However, the Gunners face competition from Spanish sides Sevilla and Real Betis.
- Anthony Chapman
KAR BLIMEY
Transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio has urged RB Salzburg star Karim Adeyemi to join Arsenal over Barcelona.
He said: “I think he would be a better fit for Arsenal than Barcelona.
"The style of play in Barcelona is different from that in Arsenal.
“And if I had to imagine him in one of those clubs, I would say Arsenal because that fits better into his style of play."
- Anthony Chapman
ED STRONG
Arsenal sporting director Edu admits he has already talked to Arsene Wenger over a return to the club.
Echoing Mikel Arteta’s sentiments, Edu said: “It was great to see Arsene Wenger the other day at the screening for his new documentary.
“We had a good conversation, and I said to him that he cannot realise how important he is for my career.
“I told him I would like to see him a bit closer to the club and to myself as well in the future.
“That would be a real, real pleasure and special for everyone here.”
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY ALAN NIXON
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is pulling the scouts to his games — with French side St Etienne joining the hunt for him.
The England Under-21 cap, 20, may go out on loan in January.
Middlesbrough are leading the pack — but his fan club is growing.
St Etienne sent leading scout Romain Barq to watch him play last week while Bournemouth and Swansea have also had top spies at matches.
- Anthony Chapman
NEXT UP
Let's take a look at Arsenal's next five games…
- Joshua Mbu
BARC-ING MAD
Barcelona have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman's contract expires in the summer of 2022, and isn't showing any signs of agreeing to new terms.
According to Caught Offside, the Catalan giants are on course to win the race for Lacazette's signature.
Barca are testing a cost-effective transfer model where they pick up talent for free.
The signing of Memphis Depay is a prime example of it.
Depay has become Barca's main man instantly.
- Joshua Mbu
LACA THREAT
West Ham hold an interest in Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette, whose contract expires next summer.
The Hammers are in search of a solid back-up striker for Michail Antonio, who has nine goal contributions in 12 games.
- Joshua Mbu
SEASON SO FAR
Smith Rowe has been Arsenal's most productive player so far this season.
- Joshua Mbu
NIC OFF
Nicolas Pepe is running out of time to prove himself at Arsenal, writes MARK IRWIN.
It is more than two years since the Ivorian international became the club’s £72million record signing from Lille.
But he has still not been able to nail down a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
Pepe’s prospects are unlikely to change any time soon after finding himself behind fans’ favourites Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe in the Emirates pecking order.
And though he still has more than two years to run on his £140,000-a-week contract, Arsenal could soon consider selling him before his value drops much further.
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNERS TROPHY CABINET
Arsenal are one of the most decorated teams in England.
- Joshua Mbu
GAME CHANGER
Chelsea are facing a fixture pile-up after the Fifa Club World Cup dates were announced, writes JOHN HUTCHINSON.
Thomas Tuchel will take his team to the United Arab Emirates for the tournament between February 3 and 12.
That means the Blues' games away at Brighton and at home to Arsenal will have to be rearranged.
Seven clubs will take part in the Club World Cup, the six winners of each confederation's continental cup and the UAE league champions.
Alongside Chelsea in the tournament will be Al Hilal, Al Ahly, Monterrey, Auckland City, Al Jazira Club and Palmeiras.
The Londoners enter the competition in the semi-finals, on the opposite side of the draw to Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras.
- Joshua Mbu
URGED TO LEAVE
Danny Mills has urged Alexandre Lacazette to leave Arsenal.
The Frenchman is out of contract next June and doesn't look set to agree on new terms.
A host of Premier League clubs, as well as some from across Europe are interested in acquiring Lacazette's services.
Mills told Football Insider: "They’re going to need some kind of replacement if they are to let him go.
"But is he doing enough at the moment to earn a new deal on big money? I don’t see it if I’m honest. It would be big to let him go, but they should.
"You look at the likes of Willian and Aubemayang. Is it the best move all around? If he wasn’t at Arsenal would you be thinking ‘We need to sign this player’? Probably not is the answer."
- Joshua Mbu
'COMPLETELY FALSE'
Mohamed Elneny father has attempted to play down talk of his son’s departure from Arsenal, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
Milli Gazete report Elneny senior saying to Al Hayat TV: “Mohamed’s contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season.
“The club does not intend to terminate his contract. His playing in the Liverpool match proves his coach’s belief in him and his abilities.
“It is difficult for him to return to Egypt during this period.
“The reports that El Ahly made a deal with him are completely false.”
- Joshua Mbu
'UNFORTUNATE'
Martin Keown says it's 'unfortunate' that Kieran Tierney isn't being selected ahead of Nuno Tavares.
The Daily Star quotes Keown as saying: “I wonder whether he might’ve said to him, ‘why are you not playing Tierney this week?’ I wonder if he would’ve said, ‘why is Lokonga playing?’
“I admire that Arteta wants to stick with players – I’m not saying he’s blinkered – and says, ‘I believe in you enough to play you again.’
“It’s very unfortunate for Tierney because he’s one of Arsenal’s best players.”
- Joshua Mbu
LACA OFF
Alexandre Lacazette is attracting interest from both West Ham and Newcastle, reports say.
The 30-year-old's contract expires next summer and is showing no signs of agreeing to new terms.
The Express' report also states that Serie A trio Juventus, AC Milan and Fiorentina also hold an interest.
- Joshua Mbu
GUNNING FOR GLORY
Summer arrivals Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale are amongst the most expensive Arsenal signings ever.
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