Arsenal is allegedly considering a transfer for Girona player Miguel Gutierrez in January as Mikel Arteta aims to enhance his left-back options.
Jurrien Timber has begun at left-back for the Gunners in their previous three Premier League matches, with Oleksandr Zinchenko relegated in the hierarchy at the Emirates.
Journalist Matteo Moretto (referenced by Football Espana) asserts that Arsenal is contemplating an acquisition of Gutierrez this winter, but will encounter competition from prominent European clubs such as Bologna, Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Bologna extended a bid for the defender over the summer; however, he was not quite persuaded by the transfer and opted to remain with Girona, where he will be a starter in the Champions League.
Real Madrid possesses a €8 million (£6.7 million) buyback option for Gutierrez, as well as a 50% sell-on clause. The 23-year-old is an alumnus of Los Blancos’ academy and departed in 2022 to seek more playing opportunities.
Madrid is ‘unlikely’ to reintroduce Gutierrez to the Bernabeu, given the presence of Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia, together with the anticipated arrival of Alphonso Davies next summer.
Arsenal is apparently preparing to pursue Gutierrez, with prior reports indicating that Girona values him at about £34 million, a reasonable assessment considering his performances last season.
Girona is owned by the City Football Group and serves as a sister club to Manchester City; it remains uncertain if the Spanish club is amenable to a mid-season transfer of the left-back.
Arsenal is prepared to transfer Zinchenko and Tierney.
Sources have disclosed to TEAMtalk that Arsenal is amenable to transferring Zinchenko in January, perhaps facilitating Gutierrez’s acquisition as his successor.
The North Londoners intend to sever ties with Kieran Tierney upon his recovery from injury and are actively exploring left-back alternatives.
Aston Villa and Newcastle expressed interest in the Scotsman during the summer transfer window, and this desire may reemerge in January.
Tierney is anticipated to recover from his hamstring injury by the end of September; nevertheless, he is not likely to be included in Arteta’s starting XI in the near future.
As previously said, Gutierrez is under observation by teams around Europe. Manchester United allegedly contemplated an acquisition of the Spaniard in late August, but finally opted against making an offer.
The competition for his services is anticipated to intensify up to the January transfer window, and it will be intriguing to observe whether Manchester United competes with Arsenal for his signing.
Arsenal is set to compete with Liverpool for Angel Gomes.
Arsenal is monitoring versatile Lille midfielder Angel Gomes. TEAMtalk sources have verified that Arsenal, in addition to Liverpool and Chelsea, hold admiration for him.
Arsenal dispatched scouts to observe Gomes during England’s recent 2-0 victory against Finland. The 24-year-old’s contract with Lille is scheduled to terminate next summer, and the French club acknowledges that he is probable to depart.
He excelled for Lee Carsley’s team, significantly enhancing his prospects of receiving substantial bids in January.
Lille aims to prevent losing Gomes on a free transfer next summer upon the expiration of his contract; hence, he may depart for a reduced fee this winter.
Sources have disclosed to TEAMtalk that Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush is eager to obtain a Premier League transfer in 2025.
Liverpool and Arsenal are among the clubs associated with the Egyptian international, while Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, and West Ham are all thought to be interested in him.
The 25-year-old striker scored 17 goals in 43 outings for the Bundesliga team last season, attracting the attention of many prominent Premier League clubs.
Forest’s £20 million offer for Marmoush was declined during the summer, and they may attempt to get him again in January.
Is Gutierrez an improvement over Zinchenko?
Acquiring a new left-back is allegedly a primary objective for Arsenal in January, and on the surface, Gutierrez may serve as a viable substitute for Zinchenko; yet, his statistics do not surpass Zinchenko’s in all aspects.
Zinchenko participated in 35 matches for Arsenal in all competitions in the 2023/24 season, recording one goal and two assists, resulting in an average direct goal contribution every 694 minutes.
Gutierrez exhibited greater productivity in the attacking third, but he occasionally assumed the role of left-wing-back for Girona in a 3-4-3 system.
He recorded two goals and nine assists in 40 games across all competitions, averaging a goal contribution every 307 minutes.
Seven of the assists were recorded in La Liga, with former Girona colleague Yan Couto being the sole defender to achieve a higher assist tally in the Spanish top-flight during the 2023/24 season.
Zinchenko generated a higher average of 1.5 chances per 90 league minutes in the 2023/24 Premier League, compared to Gutierrez’s 1.2 chances per 90 minutes in La Liga.
The Ukrainian international excels in tackles per 90 league minutes, with 2.6, far surpassing Gutierrez’s 0.9 per 90.
However, his average of 0.7 interceptions per 90 league minutes is surpassed by the Arsenal full-back, who recorded 1.0 per 90 league minutes.
Gutierrez averages 1.7 clearances per 90 league minutes, while Zinchenko averages 1.1 per 90 in the Premier League.
