Edu and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal transfer hesitation holding up Brandt, Isco or Buendia bid

Arsenal: Ozil's numbers as star nears Fenerbahce move

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and transfer chief Edu are holding off on their January business because they want to ensure that they have identified the right players before launching bids. The Gunners have been linked with a number of new additions in recent weeks, with Arteta looking to save his side’s season after a dismal start.

Arsenal have struggled for much of the campaign, dropping as low as 15th in the Premier League table last month before a run of three consecutive victories lifted the north London club into eleventh, just three points behind cross-city rivals and early title contenders Chelsea.

The Gunners have already been active in this month’s transfer window, with William Saliba and Sead Kolasinac having been shipped out on loan after a lack of involvement this season.

Veteran defender Sokratis is also expected to leave in the coming weeks, with a return to Serie A outfit Genoa reportedly on the cards.

Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal nightmare seems to be finally approaching an end after it was claimed on Wednesday that the 32-year-old could join Fenerbahce.

These exits could help to finance deals for new players, should Arsenal decide to pursue any of the names they have been tipped to sign.

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Norwich City forward Emiliano Buendia is a player who could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium before the deadline, if reports are to be believed.

Dortmund winger Julian Brandt and Real Madrid misfit Isco have also been mentioned in connection with the Gunners in recent months.

However, Arsenal will not allow themselves to be drawn into rushing their transfer business, with the club keen to wait until they are absolutely convinced on which players are a good fit.

The Athletic has claimed that the Gunners are looking for somebody who is ‘ready to make an immediate impact in the first team’, and as a result would be reluctant to ‘commit substantial resources’ to a player who does not align with the club’s aims.

However, it is suggested that Arsenal could also look to the loan market, but could face difficulty in finding available players ‘of the requisite calibre’.

Gunners technical director Edu revealed in December that he is hoping to sign an attacking midfielder this month, citing the team’s lack of creativity as a major factor behind the club’s immediate transfer policy.

“It’s quite clear what we need,” Edu told supporters at a fans’ forum. “We need a player with creativity in the middle, we don’t have that in the squad right now.”

Arsenal were linked with Lyon hotshot Houssem Aouar throughout the summer, but it seems highly unlikely that the Frenchman will be tempted to the Emirates Stadium during the January window.

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