Arsenal draw up 4-man attacking shortlist for January window after Bukayo Saka injury blow: Reports

Arsenal have identified Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus, Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford, Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Borussia Dortmund as a potential replacement for injured Bukayo Saka. This is according to a recent publication by CaughtOffside.

Saka suffered a hamstring problem in the Gunners 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on December 21. Thus, Mikel Arteta is looking to remedy the situation by signing an attacker who's versatile in the upcoming January transfer window.

The Gunner's interest in Vlahovic could be tied to his contract situation at Juventus. The Serbian international's contract expires in June 2026 and he's yet to sign an extension.

CaughtOffside claims that Arsenal are looking to leverage Vlahovic's contract situation by signing him below his valuation. Vlahovic has scored 12 goals and registered two assists in 22 games for Juventus this season.

Meanwhile, Mbeumo is a versatile right-winger who could feature in multiple attacking positions. In 21 appearances this season, he has scored 10 goals and registered three assists. Given his familiarity with the Premier League, Mbeumo could be a quick fix for the Gunners if signed. However, he's contracted at Brentford till June 2026.

Sane has proven to be a formidable right-winger in recent years. Despite his dip in form, Sane has scored five goals and registered one assist in 19 games this season.

Sane's contract at Bayern Munich is set to expire next summer. However, the Gunners are looking to sign him as a makeshift right-winger in January 2025. Given his contract situation, it's expected that his signing might come cheap.

Finally, Bynoe-Gittens is a versatile winger who could feature on both the right and left flank in attack. In 23 games in the 2024-25 campaign, he has scored nine goals and provided five assists.

The Englishman's creativity could enhance the Gunner's attack if the potential deal materializes. However, he's contracted at Dortmund till June 2028 implying that he could be an expensive replacement for Saka.

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"Bukayo Saka will be out for many, many weeks," says Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta

Arsenal FC v AS Monaco - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 - Source: Getty

Mikel Arteta has claimed that the Englishman would be on the sidelines for several months. Saka successfully underwent surgery following a hamstring injury that he sustained against Crystal Palace.

In a press conference, Arteta provided an update on Saka. He said (via Fabrizio Romano):

“Bukayo Saka will be out for many, many weeks… probably MORE than 2 months."

He added:

"He underwant surgery. Now it depends... how the scar tissue starts to heal, the mobility of that."

Saka has been an important player in Arsenal's attack this season. In 24 games, he has scored nine goals and registered 13 assists. The Englishman is expected to be on the sidelines till March 2025.