Arsenal transfer news: Bayern plot double raid, Wenger talks Lemar & Mahrez and more - 1st November 2017
Bayern Munich want either Lacazette or Welbeck
The German giants are looking to deal a major blow to Arsenal if Bild is to be believed. The German outlet reports that Bayern are looking to recruit either summer signing Alexandre Lacazette or Englishman Danny Welbeck in the upcoming January transfer window.
The newspaper states that the Bavarian club is looking to reduce the goalscoring pressure on star striker Robert Lewandowski. The 29-year old has previously spoken about the lack of support up front and neither of the two Arsenal forwards will be cup-tied as the Gunners are playing in the Europa League while Bayern compete in the Champions League.
While the Bundesliga side's claims could be true, Arsene Wenger will not be selling Lacazette at any cost after the Frenchman has made a decent start to his Arsenal career.
Wenger talks about possibility of bids for Lemar and Mahrez
As of late, Wenger has not really been in the habit of making top signings in January with Nacho Monreal the only notable arrival- in the January of 2013. However, this is also the first time that Arsenal are not playing in the Champions League under Wenger.
Further, the impending departures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez could mean a change in transfer strategy. Thus, Wenger was asked regarding the possibility of a move for AS Monaco's Lemar in January following a failed bid on the deadline day in August. He replied:
"No. At the moment I have a big squad. The problem for me is to keep everyone together until the end of the season. Do we go into the transfer market in January? I don’t know yet."
Furthermore, he was asked whether Leicester City's Mahrez will be an Arsenal player in January and he replied straight to the point by saying no. Thus, it remains to be seen who has Wenger lined up for the upcoming transfer windows to strengthen the squad.
Wenger to sign Rafinha as Ozil's replacement
Don Balon reports that Arsene Wenger wants to sign Barcelona's Rafinha Alcantara as a replacement for Ozil, whose contract expires in the summer and is set to leave the club.
Meanwhile, Rafinha has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou with Ernesto Valverde looking to balance the wage bill before rebuilding the team next year.
Wenger believes the 24-year old can do a good job in Ozil's role despite not being a first-team regular at Barcelona. While Rafinha might not be of the same quality as Ozil in terms of creativity, the Brazilian can definitely bring in energy and bite to this Arsenal side.