Arsenal chief Edu can stretch £50m January transfer budget to trio

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have some tough decisions to make in January on who he wants to bring in with a reported budget of just £50million. That would likely rule out a move for top target Mykhaylo Mudryk until next summer at least with Shakhtar Donetsk wanting a bid in the region of £88m.

Other players such as Yeremy Pino may also be out of range unless Arteta is happy bringing in just one player. But bolstering Arteta’s squad with multiple options heading into the business end of the season may be the better bet to maintain their title challenge.

Gabriel Jesus’ injury has already highlighted how short Arsenal are of options up top while central midfield is also an area Arteta could do with more depth. Another wide player is though to be Arteta’s top target with Mudryk seemingly the club’s first choice.

That transfer may be more attainable next summer when Arteta is likely to have a bigger budget available to him. But Express Sport picks out three players Arsenal have been linked with recently who they could sign and still keep some change from the £50m reported budget.

Facundo Torres – £14m

Since joining MLS side Orlando City back in January, Facundo Torres has earned plenty of admirers from European clubs. He went on to score nine goals and provide eight assists in 33 league games during his debut campaign and has emerged as a top target for the Gunners.

His performances in the MLS earned him a call-up to Uruguay’s World Cup squad, although he was an unused substitute throughout the group stages. Orlando City paid just £7.8m to sign Torres earlier this year and it would reportedly take a fee almost double that for the American side to likely to consider selling.

But the 22-year-old could still prove to be a bargain at that price if he carries on his impressive form at the Emirates.

Danilo – £17m

Moving into central midfield and Danilo is Arsenal’s top target heading into the January transfer market. It’s been reported that Palmeiras are open to negotiations if a bid in the region of £17m comes in.

That’s certainly within Arsenal’s budget and presents little risk for a player widely tipped to become a future international star. Express Sport understands Arsenal are serious about signing the midfielder and considered making a move this past summer.

Both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have established themselves as Arteta’s go-to midfield partnership behind Martin Odegaard. But injuries have taken their toll on both players throughout the past few years and Arteta will want capable bodies stepping in with Danilo seen as the ideal target.

Youri Tielemans – Less than £20m

Youri Tielemans’ future at Leicester has been an ongoing debate for several years now but the January window could finally be the time he moves on. With just six months remaining on his contract, it’s the last chance for Leicester to bring in some money for the Belgium international.

Still just 25 years of age, Tielemans would present a steal at a price expected to be under £20m. And his vast Premier League experience would be a huge selling point for Arsenal with the midfielder unlikely to need much time to get up to speed.

Arsenal won’t be alone in trying to sign Tielemans, but many may try and wait until the summer to make their move. The Gunners could move early to win the race for his signature, giving Arteta another top option in midfield.

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