da lvbet： We’re now nearly halfway through the January transfer window and so far it’s been… well, incredibly uneventful.
da stake casino： Indeed, all twenty Premier League clubs have made just 16 signings between them this month – only six of which have joined teams in the top half of the table. That includes FC Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who officially became an Arsenal player earlier today.
Yet, the winter window is always a bit of an anticlimax, so perhaps it’s inevitable that January 2016 has largely underwhelmed. Although the tabloids hype up every rumour as absolute fact, buying clubs are often restricted in terms of finance and selling clubs are never keen to lose key players midseason.
Nevertheless, a man can dream. Which is why Football Fancast have issued Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger a magic transfer wand that he can wave at any La Liga star he desires this month.
With that in mind, here are FIVE La Liga stars the Gunners would love to sign before the close of the January transfer window… but probably won’t.
NOLITO
Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with Celta Vigo star Nolito over the last few months and it’s not hard to see why.
The winger-forward was always well-regarded throughout his spells with Barcelona B, Benfica and Granada but has really upped his game since joining the Balaidos’ ranks in summer 2013, going on to record 35 goals in 86 La Liga outings.
That includes eight league goals this season alongside five assists, whilst averaging 2.4 successful dribbles and 2.9 created chances per match. The latter statistic is only bettered throughout the Spanish top flight by Barcelona star Neymar.
Laden with technical flair, the 29-year-old seems an ideal fit for Arsenal’s style of play. Unfortunately, however, the latest reports suggest he’s on the verge of moving to the Nou Camp on loan for the rest of the season.
Asier Illarramendi
Arsenal were heavily linked with Asier Illarramendi during the summer as his underwhelming Real Madrid spell came to an end and they’ll undoubtedly have taken note of the Spaniard’s impressive form since.
Indeed, the 25-year-old never came close to living up to his billing as ‘the next Xabi Alonso’ during his two terms at the Bernabeu but has certainly revived the promising form of old since returning to former club Real Sociedad.
The deep-lying midfielder has averaged 3.1 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and one created chance per match this term, whilst recording a pass completion rate of 84%
He could be the ideal long-term successor to Mikel Arteta, as a playmaking midfield anchor who dictates the direction and tempo of play.
But Real Sociedad will be incredibly reluctant sell after re-signing the former Spain U21 just six months ago and the Gunners have focused on other midfield targets instead – with Mohamed Elneny set to join the Emirates ranks from FC Basel.
AYMERIC LAPORTE
The Gunners certainly haven’t disappointed defensively this season, with summer signing Petr Cech having a notably calming effect on their backline, but few clubs in world football would pass up the chance of signing Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte.
The 21-year-old is widely regard as one of the most promising defenders in world football, having already registered an impressive amount of appearances for a player so young – 119 across all competitions alongside 50 at youth level for France – and held down a starring role in the Bilbao first team since the start of the 2013/14 campaign.
In terms of style, the 6 foot 2 defender is loosely comparable to Everton’s John Stones, combining impressive last-ditch defending with a sharp turn of pace and immense quality on the ball, and although Arsenal aren’t exactly short of numbers, his ability to operate effectively at left-back would drastically enhance the Gunners’ defensive depth.
But every major club in Europe has one eye on Laporte at the moment and luring him away from Bilbao this month will most likely require activating his £35million release clause.
SAUL NIGUEZ
Saul Niguez has emerged as one of the most exciting youngsters in La Liga since his Atletico Madrid debut in 2012 and Arsenal were linked with his services earlier this month.
The Spaniard is famed for his immense versatility, having featured as a centre-half, a defensive mid, a central midfielder and wide midfielder throughout his short career, and is becoming an increasingly important fixture in Diego Simeone’s plans since impressing on loan at Rayo Vallecano during the 2013/14 campaign.
The 21-year-old registered 35 appearances across all competitions and has been issued nine La Liga starts this term – picking up the Man of the Match award against Athletic Bilbao in December after opening the scoring in a 2-1 win.
A host of Premier League clubs are monitoring Niguez, not least including Manchester United. But Diego Simeone is determined to block any departure this month – meaning any suitor will have to activate the prospect’s £18million release clause.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
Another Atletico Madrid star Arsenal would love to get their hands on is versatile attacker Antoine Griezmann, who would drastically improve their depth in the final third.
Indeed, the France international earned his summer 2014 move to Vincente Calderon after performing minor miracles as Real Sociedad’s talismanic wideman, playing a pivotal role in their rise from the Spanish second tier to the Champions League.
But he’s transformed into an incredibly potent out-and-out striker since joining the Mattress Makers, netting 39 times in 78 appearances across all competitions operating almost exclusively as a centre-forward. That includes ten goals in La Liga and four in the Champions League this season.
Also famed for his industrious tenacity, stamina and penetrative pace, the 24-year-old has been mooted as a perfect fit for Premier League football continuously over the last few years.
But Griezmann is now the shining star at Atletico and convincing the club to sell won’t be easy. They’ve already gone some way to protecting his value with a €80million release clause.