Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Arsenal transfer news and rumours: Kevin de Bruyne for £25m, Paulista work permit latest and Bielik confirmed 'to cover centre-back'

The latest deals, negotiations and gossip from the Emirates

Thursday 22 January 2015 10:11 GMT

Kevin De Bruyne (GETTY IMAGES)

DONE DEAL...

Arsenal confirmed yesterday that they had completed the signing of promising 17-year-old midfielder Krystian Bielik, in a deal thought to be worth around £2.5 million. Significantly, a club statement described for Polish youngster as able to play “in both holding midfield and at centre-back” – suggesting he could go straight into contention for the trouble defensive position.

POSSIBLE ARRIVALS...

Focus on Arsenal’s interest in the Villarreal centre-back Gabriel Paulista has turned to the issue of gaining a work permit, while the club hold out for someone to meet the player’s £15m buy-out clause. The Gunners are believed to be tempting the Brazilian 24-year-old with a four-and-a-half year deal and feel confident they could get “exceptional talent” Paulista a permit on appeal.

The club are also thought to have contacted Lyon about the possibility of signing 21-year-old attacking midfielder Nebil Fekir. It’s a position where Arsenal are not exactly short of options – but room in the squad could be cleared up if international interest in Santi Cazorla becomes more concrete. Fekir’s father has previously told Le Parisien that “if he leaves, it’ll be for Arsenal”, and today’s L’Equipe reported that Wenger himself is leading the scouting mission to show there’s genuine interest from the London end.

WANTED...

While a Paulista deal remains far from guaranteed, Arsene Wenger will continue to look for much-needed centre-back cover elsewhere. German media are reporting interest in VfB Stuttgart’s 6’2’’ 18-year-old Timo Baumgartl – who only debuted in the Bundesliga back in November. That’s his only appearance so far, meaning Baumgartl would likely be one for the future at the Emirates.

The Gunners are also thought to have joined Manchester City in the £25m race to sign former Chelsea prodigy Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian international had little joy in the Premier League with the Blues – but has impressed with six goals in Wolfsburg’s successful season so far.

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Show all 17

1/17Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Ilkay Gundogan

The Germany international is out of contract in 18 months with Borussia Dortmund, and while he is thankful for their support during a long-term injury and subsequent recovery, he will not be signing an extension. That could see the Bundesliga club allow him to leave in order to cash in on his worth, and Arsenal are believed to be preparing a £16m offer to test the German club's resolve.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Ron Vlaar

The Aston Villa captain is out of contract at the end of the season, but his impressive form at the start of this campaign helped Villa get off to a promising start. Paul Lambert remains hopeful of agreeing a new contract with Vlaar to avoid losing him on a free in the summer. The 29-year-old would bring a wealth of experience to the Gunners defence along with a certain calibre, having started all seven of the Netherlands’ World Cup matches in Brazil.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Loic Perrin

Wenger is reportedly interested in Saint Etienne captain Loic Perrin. The French defender, 29, can also play in defensive midfield and at a price of around £6m would allow Wenger to chase other, bigger name defensive options.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Virgil van Dijk

The Celtic defender has emerged as a leading candidate to join Arsenal in January with a £7m offer said to be lined up by the Gunners. Wenger’s admission that they could not add another player in the summer means that they are likely to sign a defender, and the belief is that Wenger attempted to sign Van Dijk on transfer deadline day only to fail in his last-minute pursuit.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Winston Reid

The West Ham defender has been impressive this term and would offer a cheap, if uninspiring choice at centre-back. With his contract expiring in the summer, he could be available for around £4m in January. A possible swap deal with Carl Jenkinson has also been mooted.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Mats Hummels

Borussia Dortmund’s talented centre-back is one of the most sought-after players in Europe with both Manchester United and Barcelona interested in his services. Arsenal emerged as a shock potential destination though, with the Gunners rumoured to be willing to pay up to £32m for Hummels, who has suggested that this could be his final season with Dortmund.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Morgan Schneiderlin

The Frenchman accepted that he would not be leaving Southampton in the summer and flourished as a result, with Saints flying high in the Premier League. However, Schneiderlin will look to leave the south coast club come the end of the season with Tottenham likely to be the favoured destination to link up with his former manager Mauricio Pochettino, but Arsenal could look to hijack any deal and get one over their North London rivals. Schneiderlin would suit the Gunners playing style, and he certainly has the quality to fit in the current Arsenal first-team – just look at his record over the past two seasons compared to Mikel Arteta and you’d suggest there is only one winner.

Getty

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Edinson Cavani

Cavani has spoken of his desire to move to the Premier league and Arsenal have been identified as a potential destination. The Uruguayan would not come cheap, given that PSG signed him from Napoli for £53m. A January move would be difficult with PSG still in the Champions League.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Nabil Fekir

French youngster Nabil Fekir has impressed with Lyon this term, scoring goals at a decent return. His father has said that if he leaves the French side, Arsenal would be his preferred destination, despite rumours of interest from Manchester City.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Julian Draxler

Draxler was a name that was heavily linked during last season’s January transfer window, but any hope of a move appeared to be dashed when he suffered a drop in form that nearly cost him his World Cup place in the Germany squad. Despite that, Arsenal are reportedly still interested.

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

William Carvalho

Arsenal have held talks with Sporting Lisbon before but have so far been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the holding midfielder. It's reported that Arsene Wenger has renewed hope of landing the 22-year-old Portugal international due to Sporting Lisbon's elimination from the Champions League at the group stage and is preparing a £25m bid.

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Chris Smalling

The England international was discussed by Arsenal when Thomas Vermaelen was linked with a move to Manchester United. Vermaelen went to Barcelona instead but Arsenal are thought to retain that interest in Smalling, despite some questionable performances this season.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Yohan Cabaye

Arsenal failed with an audacious £10m bid for the Frenchman last year, and he eventually returned home to join PSG in a deal worth in excess of £20m after three years with Newcastle. However, Cabaye has found himself on the fringes of the first-team in Paris, with Marco Veratti, Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta favoured in a three-man midfield. Arsenal are still believed to be interested in his services, and a return to the Premier League may not be that far-fetched.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Sami Khedira

Linked with just about every major club in Europe in the summer, Khedira ended up staying at Real Madrid. He's made very few appearances this term and with his contract up in the summer, the Champions League holders may opt to make a few bucks by selling the World Cup winner. Arsenal would be very keen.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Christoph Kramer

If Arsenal can't land Khedira, there is another German midfielder of interest. Christoph Kramer, who is on a long-term loan with Borussia Monchengladbach from Bayer Leverkusen has indicated his interest in moving to the Premier League. Arsenal have been linked with a £20m move.

Getty Images

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Paulo Dybala

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Palermo striker Paulo Dybala. The 21-year-old has been banging in the goals in Serie A this term, leading to speculation he's in line for a big move. But the Palermo president has indicated he won't be allowed to leave for anything less that £31m

GETTY IMAGES

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Paul Pogba

The French midfielder is believed to be attracting attention from the Emirates regarding a possible £40m move, and would fill the holding role that has hindered the Gunners for years.

Getty Images

GONE ELSEWHERE...

One of European football’s most exciting young talents… is now definitely not going to Arsenal. Real Madrid confirmed the singing of Martin Odegaard on Wednesday evening after reaching an agreement with Stromsgodset Fotball for the 16-year-old attacking midfielder/forward.

The left-footed player was described as Norway’s Messi and attracted interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich as well as the Emirates in recent weeks, but seems to have been unable to resist the allure of training up under Zinedine Zidane in the Real Madrid B team.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies