Arsenal Transfer News: Premier League giants in race for Barcelona star, club eye Juventus defender, and more – November 19, 2018

All the Arsenal transfer news in one place!

Liverpool join Arsenal in race for Ousmane Dembele

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, who was linked with a move to North London in the summer transfer window, will be pursued by Arsenal once again when the market opens in January.

According to a report from TalkSport, Liverpool are planning to make a £85million bid for the Frenchman, thereby competing with their Premier League rivals in trying to get his signature in the winter transfer window.

According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, Arsenal made an indirect loan move for Dembele in the summer, which was not entertained by Barcelona.

The only approach from Arsenal was to get him on loan, with an option to buy,” he said, as reported by the Express. "That was an intermediate, not directly from Arsenal.

“And again, Barcelona did not listen to it. They don’t want to let him go in January either. They believe that they can get something out of him.”

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Arsenal interested in Declan Rice

According to a report from Express (h/t Red Arsenal), the North Londoners are considering making a move for Declan Rice from West Ham in the winter transfer window.

Rice, 19, will be out of contract with the Hammers in the summer and following his impressive form this season, Premier League clubs like Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly interested in acquiring his defensive services.

The Irish footballer has made 9 appearances for West Ham in the Premier League this season and has impressed in patches. He is currently on a £3,500-a-week contract with the Hummers and has reportedly declined a new offer worth £20,000-a-week from the London club.

Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, has reportedly instructed the Red Devils board to get the youngster to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

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Gunners checking the availability of Juventus star Daniele Rugani

Arsenal need to solve their defensive woes with some solid purchases in January

According to a report from the Express, the North London side are monitoring Daniele Rugani's availability ahead of the winter transfer window. Arsenal signed Sokratis Papastathopoulus from Borrusia Dortmund in the summer, but made no further additions to their backline.

With Laurent Koscielny still recovering from his Achilles heel injury, Callum Chambers out on loan, Konstantinos Mavropanos out injured and Rob Holding still understanding the ins and outs of top-tier football, the Gunners have been stretched in terms of their centre-backs this season.

Considering the present situation, it is no surprise that the Gunners are looking at centre-backs who could potentially be bought in the January transfer window. According to market calculations, Rugani would cost anywhere around €35m (£31m) and €50m (£44m) in January. The 24-year-old's contract at Juventus runs till 2021, which might become a slight hurdle if Arsenal do decide to go for him in the winter break.

Reportedly, 2016-17 PL Champions Chelsea are also interested in acquiring the signature of the Italian defender.