Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners face Pedro Neto competition; club backed for a quiet January, and more - January 13, 2024

Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League after 20 games, five points behind leaders Liverpool (45). Mikel Arteta’s team next face Crystal Palace in the league on January 20.

Meanwhile, the Gunners face competition from Manchester City in the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto. Elsewhere, the north London side have been backed to have a quiet transfer window this month.

On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on January 13, 2024.

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Arsenal face Pedro Neto competition

Pedro Neto is wanted at the Emirates.

Arsenal face competition from Manchester City for the services of Pedro Neto, according to acclaimed journalist David Ornstein.

The Portuguese forward has been in red-hot form for Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, registering one goal and nine assists in 12 outings across competitions. Arteta is in the market for a new forward to provide cover for Bukayo Saka and has his eyes on Neto, according to Todofichajes.

However, City are also monitoring the 23-year-old, who has been identified as a candidate for the right-forward position.

Manager Pep Guardiola has Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva to call upon for that position. But the Spanish manager could look to add more quality for the position in the summer and has been backed to turn to Neto.

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Gunners backed for a quiet January

David Ornstein believes Arsenal are unlikely to be too active this month in the transfer market.

The Gunners invested heavily in the squad in the summer, bringing in the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, but are lagging behind in the title race. Arteta is widely expected to return to the market for solutions this month.

Speaking to The Athletic, Ornstein said that the north London side could make a reactive purchase at the end of the month.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up doing something reactive towards the end of the window — purely because they are always attentive to the market. They are short in places, and we can never say never in this industry,” said Ornstein.

He continued:

“But as I have consistently reported, Arsenal’s financial position dictated that this was expected to be a quiet window, and, still, to this point, I am not aware of anything meaningful developing yet.”

Ornstein added that finances and player sales will dictate Arsenal’s activity this month.

“That’s not to say work hasn’t gone on behind the scenes to identify and prepare options in multiple positions for now, summer and beyond. But whether any of those can or will be acted upon before the end of the month is another matter altogether.

"It will largely depend on whether and which players leave and what space and finance that would create to do business the other way,” said Ornstein.

He concluded:

“Sorry for the boring answer, but, to my knowledge, it’s the reality. Arsenal really need to get their existing players — who are proven to deliver the results the club wants — to rediscover their best form. That seems to be a bigger issue right now than recruitment.”

The Gunners remain on the hunt for a new No. 9 this year.

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Former player advises Aaron Ramsdale to join West Ham United

Aaron Ramsdale is no longer first-choice at the Emirates.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has advised Aaron Ramsdale to move to West Ham United this month.

The English goalkeeper has dropped down the pecking order this season at Arsenal. Arteta brought in David Raya on loan from Brentford last summer, and the Spaniard custodian has become the No. 1 at the Emirates. Ramsdale’s future at the club, as such, hangs in the air.

Speaking to Caught Offside, Collymore said that the London Stadium could be the perfect destination for the Englishman.

“I wonder if West Ham might fancy him. They’ve got Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski as their two senior keepers, but both are into their 30’s, with the latter close to turning 40, so it seems a change in that position is coming sooner rather than later.

"Could Ramsdale be the man for David Moyes? – I think so, and I also think that’s one club that could offer him exactly what he’s looking for,” said Collymore.

He added:

“The Hammers are a big enough club that their players are considered for international duties. They have had recent success in Europe, and by the manager’s own admission, are now aiming to establish themselves as a Champions League side — that seems like the perfect project for a player like Ramsdale.”

The Gunners might be reluctant to let Ramsdale leave the club in the middle of the season, though.