ARSENAL have had a relatively quiet January transfer window so far with little clamour for new arrivals given that the Gunners are sitting pretty on top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta’s side is stacked full of high quality depth, so much so that even Ethan Nwaneri has had to leave on loan in search of more minutes.
Nwaneri, who joined Marseille on loan until the end of the season, has been the most notable exit from the Emirates this month.
But even when things might seem quiet on all fronts, there is still plenty going on behind the scenes.
Here SunSport Arsenal reporters Simon Collings and Joshua Hall break down all the transfer news ahead of Monday’s deadline.
RING THE BEL
ARSENAL are among a host of clubs tracking Dinamo Zagreb wonderkid Rafael Belinho.
Belinho, 17, was born in Brazil but also holds a Croatian passport and could move to the Prem when he turns 18 next year.
The forward has been tipped for a big future and has been likened to former Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva.
The Gunners have scouted Belinho – but they are one of several sides keeping tabs on the teenager.
Arsenal are making a push to sign the best young talent from around the world in the next phase of their project under Mikel Arteta.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
The club have agreed a deal to sign Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero next year, with Irish midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna also joining them.
James Ellis, who is Arsenal’s technical director, is playing a key role in the recruitment drive for young stars.
ALL ZIN GOOD TIME
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO is nearing a move to Ajax after failing to make an impact at Nottingham Forest.
Zinchenko, 29, was loaned out to Forest at the start of the season but has since made just five Premier League appearances for the club.
The Ukrainian has now been offered an exit route by Ajax, who initially discussed a loan to take him to the Netherlands.
However, the transfer has since slowed after Ajax decided they would prefer to strike up a permanent deal.
There is still hope that the deal can get over the line, with Zinchenko’s current contract at Arsenal set to expire at the end of the season.
Discussing the potential transfer, interim Ajax boss Fred Grim said: “I hope that [Zinchenko’s signing] will take shape soon.
“At Ajax, we’re very busy strengthening our squad. It will have to be finalised in the coming week. In my opinion, there are still some possibilities then.”
TY HIM DOWN
ARSENAL retain an interest in Blackburn Rovers starlet Igor Tyjon – but a move may have to wait until the summer.
The Gunners have been chasing the striker since last summer, when they had multiple bids worth over £1million rejected.
Tyjon, 17, is currently on scholarship terms at Blackburn after snubbing the opportunity to sign a professional contract.
Blackburn have tried to tie the English striker down over the course of this season, but are reluctantly accepting he will now go at some stage.
It was thought that would happen during the January transfer window, however a move could now take place in the summer.
Tyjon’s scholarship terms expire then, although Blackburn would be due compensation from Arsenal if he makes the switch in the summer.
HOW MACH?
BRAZILIAN wonderkid Iago Machado has been scouted by Arsenal.
Machado, 16, is a centre-back for Corinthians and has impressed for their youth team.
Arsenal are understood to have watched the defender at this month’s Sao Paulo Youth Cup.
The Gunners were not alone in doing so, though, with Ajax also scouting the teenager.
Machado cannot move to Europe until he is 18 next year and there is expected to be a fight for his signature.
The youngster is currently focused on breaking into the Corinthians first team and making his senior debut.
He has trained with the first team on occasion and has caught the eye.
IN A CURRI
MALDINI KACURRI is set for a permanent exit from Arsenal before Monday’s deadline after Grimsby Town reached an agreement for the defender.
Kacurri, 20, is finalising the move after he spent the first half of the season on loan at Morecambe in the National League.
SunSport understands that Arsenal will hold a healthy sell-on fee as part of the deal.
Kacurri made one senior appearance for the Gunners, coming off the bench in their 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton in September 2024.
But a move away makes sense given the strength in depth Arsenal hold in the centre of defence.
HALE ENDING?
MORE youth prospects could be heading out on loan before deadline day – including a distant relative of Rio and Anton Ferdinand.
Seb Ferdinand, 20, is open to leaving on loan before the window shuts with the winger keen to get minutes elsewhere.
Ferdinand, who is also the cousin of lower league journeyman Dean Sinclair, said in the Arsenal programme: “My goal for the rest of the season is to contribute with goals and assists whenever I play.
“I also want to get experience of men’s football, which is super important for my development and also my career.
“That’s the level I want to be at so I need to have that experience, whether it’s with the first team at Arsenal or on loan somewhere.”
Meanwhile, fellow Hale End product Harrison Dudziak, 20, has attracted interest from National League side Braintree Town over a potential loan move.
Striker Andre Harriman-Annous has also garnered interest for a loan, but it currently looks like he will stay put.
The teenager – who made his first-team debut earlier this season – recently returned from a hip injury this month.
