Taylor’s Tuesday Transfers: Arsenal striker movement, Auba problem, Tottenham and Vlahovic

Premier League wonderkids to look out for in 2022

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Happy New Year to you all and welcome to the first instalment of my column in 2022. I’m well-rested and have spent the past few months digging into some of the stories and deals that are likely to materialise this month. In addition to my column, I’ll be launching a YouTube channel called ‘Taylor Talks Transfers’ to break down some of these stories in further detail. Keep an eye out for the first video later this week via my Twitter @RyanTaylorSport and make sure you subscribe to Express Sport’s daily transfer newsletter to keep up to date with all the latest…

Arsenal’s Aubameyang AFCON problem

Arsenal will let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave the Emirates Stadium this month but the Africa Cup of Nations complicates their chances of moving their striker on, Express Sport understands.

The 32-year-old was stripped of the captaincy in north London by Mikel Arteta in December following his latest disciplinary breach. However, this time around the Spaniard decided enough was enough as the relationship between the pair soured.

Yet the forward is currently Cameroon-bound with Gabon and his nation’s fortunes at the mid-season tournament could ultimately have a huge say on his immediate future.

In regards to Arsenal and Aubameyang, all parties are now in agreement that their time together is nearing its natural conclusion.

Gabon are in action this afternoon in their final warm-up game against Mauritania before they face Comoros (Jan 10), Ghana (Jan 14) and Morocco (Jan 18) in Group C.

Should Gabon progress, Arsenal would be facing a race against time to find Aubameyang a new club before the January 31 deadline.

Any potential buyers could still fly medics to Cameroon or, alternatively, ask Gabon to carry out relevant medical checks, but there is every chance Aubameyang’s departure could prove too complicated this month, delaying any exit until the end of the campaign.

The Africa Cup of Nations final is scheduled to take place on February 6, beyond the transfer deadline.

Tottenham’s Vlahovic interest

Fiorentina’s 21-year-old talisman Dusan Vlahovic is hot property to say the least as the Serbian enters 2022 in scintillating, record-breaking form.

He has struck 16 times in 19 Serie A outings this season and also matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s calendar-year record 33-goal haul in 2021.

Make no mistake, his stock is approaching Erling Haaland territory as the race for two of Europe’s deadliest young strikers intensifies.

Express Sport reported last summer that Spurs had privately held initial dialogue with Vlahovic’s agent Darko Ristic but the forecasted blockbuster bid that was anticipated never followed, as Harry Kane committed his short-term future to the club.

But Tottenham’s interest in Vlahovic remains very much alive, particularly following the appointment of Antonio Conte, who is a huge fan of the player.

Yet Spurs, who are well-positioned to sign Vlahovic, are facing two substantial dilemmas.

Firstly, Fiorentina are seeking around £65million to agree to any mid-season sale this month. That’s undeniably steep, particularly given Vlahovic is out of contract in 18 months and furthermore, there is a burning desire from Conte to strengthen in other departments.

Secondly, where does Vlahovic fit into the side? There are no qualms about the formation of a potential partnership with Kane but that would also point towards a change of system from a 3-4-2-1 to 3-4-1-2, which would not benefit Son Heung-min.

Spurs do need a striker though after opting against the permanent signing of Carlos Vinicius last summer.

One name that was briefly mentioned to Express Sport as ‘one to keep an eye on’ is Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca, who is said to be appreciated by technical director Fabio Paratici.

Crystal Palace’s Mateta U-turn

Crystal Palace are now expected to keep striker Jean-Philippe Mateta until the end of the season despite talk the Eagles were keen to terminate his 18-month loan prematurely.

The 24-year-old arrived from Mainz in January 2021 but has failed to live up to expectations at Selhurst Park despite netting a brilliant back-heel goal against bitter rivals Brighton just one month into his new chapter.

Amid interest in Mateta from France and Germany, Palace considered the mutual termination of his loan and even held background talks over the prospect of signing Borja Mayoral from Real Madrid (currently on loan at Roma) until the end of the season, as a potential replacement.

But following Mateta’s impressive goalscoring showing against Norwich, there’s belief he can contribute in the second half of the season despite remaining behind Odsonne Edouard and Christian Benteke in the pecking order.

Furthermore, with the complications surrounding the current climate and COVID-19 plus an ongoing legal dispute between Mateta and his former representative, now does not feel like the right time for him to switch clubs.

Wolves could delay Hwang purchase

Wolves plan to trigger their £12million option-to-buy striker Hwang Hee-chan but the formalisation of any permanent move could be delayed until next summer due to his recent hamstring injury.

The South Korea international, who is owned by RB Leipzig, made a breathtaking start to life at Molineux – netting four times in his first six Premier League outings.

But his rich vein of form soon died a death despite remaining a regular in attack under Bruno Lage.

The Wolves boss has already made it clear he would like to sign Hwang permanently and the club had made plans to make the move official this January.

While that could still yet materialise, the forward’s recent hamstring injury picked up in the 1-0 win at Brighton on December 15 means Wolves are expected to hold off, so the player can focus and prioritise his return to action.

Arsenal striker movement

Outside of Aubameyang, all three of Arsenal’s other recognised strikers are also facing decisive weeks in regards to their futures in north London.

Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s contracts are up at the end of the season, meaning they are free to negotiate with foreign clubs.

Yet Arteta would ideally like to keep both, although the pair have rejected the club’s latest contract offers.

Lacazette was only offered a short-term deal – he wants longer – while Nketiah wants assurances of regular game time.

The young Englishman has already held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential move.

Elsewhere, Express Sport understands Arsenal are keen to get Folarin Balogun out on loan.

Middlesbrough are leading the race and manager Chris Wilder previously tried to sign the 20-year-old during his time in charge of Sheffield United.

Arsenal are prepared to wait until the end of the season before making their move for a new frontman with Vlahovic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin the two names currently on their radar.

Roma told ‘no’ over Dalot

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has decided Diogo Dalot will not leave Old Trafford this January.

Roma had been lining up a loan move for the full-back which would have seen him reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho, who brought him to United.

But his impressive form of late following the appointment of Rangnick has seen him move ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order.

Therefore, United are no longer prepared to consider any approaches for the 22-year-old this month.

Leicester expected to sanction midfield departure

Similarly to Arsenal forward Aubameyang, the Africa Cup of Nations could deny Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy a move this winter.

The box-to-box midfielder has made no secret of the fact he wishes to depart the King Power Stadium this month but his involvement at AFCON with Senegal could throw a major spanner in the works.

Clubs from France and Turkey are understood to be interested in a deal with Brendan Rodgers willing to grant Mendy his wish.

However, former Newcastle target Hamza Choudhury would also welcome some regular playing time elsewhere and the Foxes are not willing to let both depart.

Academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has moved ahead of the duo and into the starting XI in the past month, creating leeway for a sole departure in midfield.

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