Arsenal have their eyes on arguably Liverpool’s most lethal finisher, and reports suggest the Reds are open to a deal—if the price is right—after Arne Slot’s faith in the player began to wane.

Another transfer window has come and gone without Arsenal securing the prolific striker they desperately need. The absence of a clinical goal-scorer remains the biggest gap in Mikel Arteta’s squad, with the manager himself admitting his frustration over the club’s shortcomings in the market.

“We had a clear intention which is always when a window opens to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact,” Arteta said last week.

“With players injured, we’ve been impacted and we haven’t achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were.

“It’s in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there is a lot of ways, a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve.”

Arsenal made a move for Ollie Watkins and explored bold attempts to sign Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko. However, according to Anfield Watch, Mikel Arteta’s next striker target might be closer than expected—at Liverpool.

Reports suggest Arsenal had their eye on Diogo Jota last summer, and the 28-year-old remains on their radar. Now, it appears Liverpool would be willing to part ways with the Portuguese forward—if the price is right.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reportedly grown frustrated with Diogo Jota due to his ongoing injury struggles.

Jota began the season as Slot’s first-choice striker, but an October rib injury gave Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz the opportunity to step in. Since returning to fitness, he has yet to start a Premier League match and missed two more league games in January (against Brentford and Ipswich) due to another setback.

When fit, Jota is arguably Liverpool’s most clinical finisher—even more so than Mohamed Salah, who requires a higher shot volume to score. However, with the Portuguese forward now 28 and injuries continuing to be a concern, Anfield Watch reports that Liverpool may be open to selling him in the summer.

By then, Jota will have just two years left on his contract, raising doubts about whether Liverpool will offer him an extension. Arsenal, who attempted to sign 29-year-old Ollie Watkins in January, have shown they’re willing to invest in experienced players for immediate impact.

The biggest question mark for Arsenal would be Jota’s injury history. Additionally, while Liverpool are open to a sale, they would likely demand a premium fee from Arsenal, given their status as a direct title rival.

Latest Arsenal news – Seven stars leaving?

According to The Daily Mirror, Mikel Arteta could part ways with up to seven first-team players to finance a major summer rebuild.

Loan signings Neto and Raheem Sterling are not expected to return once their temporary deals expire.

Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney, Jorginho, and Thomas Partey are all set to leave as free agents. Tierney has already agreed to rejoin Celtic on a pre-contract deal, while Jorginho is reportedly eyeing a move to Brazilian side Flamengo.

Additionally, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have fallen out of favor at Arsenal and are now available for transfer. The defensive duo have managed just four combined league starts this season.

Alexander Isak, a prime target for both Arsenal and Chelsea, is reportedly set to discuss a new contract with Newcastle United. According to TBR Football, Newcastle are eager to secure the Swedish striker’s long-term commitment.

Isak has been in exceptional form this season, leading Newcastle’s scoring charts with 19 goals across all competitions. This stellar performance has made him a hot prospect for a big transfer to another Premier League club.

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, considers Isak a “top target,” and Chelsea are also very keen on signing him. However, Newcastle are confident they can hold onto their star player despite the interest from rivals.

TBR Football reports that Newcastle United are intent on securing Alexander Isak’s future with the club by proposing a new contract. This deal would include a significant salary increase, reflecting his vital role in the team.

Currently, Isak earns £120,000 per week, but the proposed raise could push his weekly wage over £200,000, making him the top earner at Newcastle.

Alexander Isak is reportedly considering signing a new contract with Newcastle, but according to TBR Football, his final decision might hinge on whether the team secures a spot in the Champions League.

On the other hand, moving to London clubs like Arsenal or Chelsea would almost certainly mean playing in European competitions. Both teams hold Isak in high regard, but they would need to meet Newcastle’s hefty valuation, which exceeds £150 million for the Swedish star.

Dean Jones from GIVEMESPORT has exclusively revealed that this high price tag might already be putting Arsenal off, with fears that they have “almost no chance” of securing Isak’s transfer.

Fabrizio Romano: Newcastle eyeing £55m centre-back wanted by Chelsea and Bayern

After missing out on a centre-back in recent transfer windows, it will be intriguing to see if Newcastle United finds a long-term successor for Fabian Schar this summer.

Attempts to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi fell through in August, and in January, Abdukodir Khusanov was on the radar, but Manchester City clinched the deal for the ex-Lens player.

Paul Mitchell, clearly focused on this position as well as the elusive right-winger, has seen another name emerge in recent news.

Heading into the summer transfer window, Newcastle seems to have their sights set on another Bournemouth defender, especially with (hopefully) funds available to spend.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Newcastle are among the clubs interested in Dean Huijsen, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich also in the race.

The 19-year-old has impressed in his debut Premier League season, and he’s not the only Bournemouth centre-back Newcastle have been linked with. Mark Douglas from the i previously noted interest in Illia Zabarnyi as well.

Speaking on his Youtube channel on all things transfers, Romano said: “Chelsea are one of several clubs interested in Dean Huijsen, then there is interest in Bayern Munich. Also Newcastle are showing interest in Huijsen.

“They are doing very well and in case they are in the Champions League next season, investment in a centre-back could be made and Huijsen is one of the players they are monitoring.

“He has a release clause in his contract valid in the summer, so Huijsen will be, for sure, one to watch in the summer transfer window.”

Missed opportunity last summer?

While Newcastle United were in negotiations with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi that ultimately fell through, Bournemouth managed to secure what’s been called one of the summer’s best signings with Dean Huijsen.

Newcastle had been linked with the Dutch-born defender before his transfer to Eddie Howe’s former team, but Bournemouth clinched the deal for £15 million.

Now, just six months on, it’s rumored that Huijsen’s release clause is set at £55 million, indicating that Bournemouth could make a quick £40 million profit if he were to depart this summer.

Barcelona have reportedly begun discussions with Liverpool over a potential swap deal that could see Frenkie de Jong move to Anfield this summer.

The Reds opted not to make any major moves in the January transfer window, with Arne Slot’s side prepared to act if the right opportunity arose—but ultimately, no deals materialized.

So far, Liverpool’s only signings since Jurgen Klopp’s departure have been Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, the latter returning to Valencia on loan. Despite this, Slot has guided his team to the top of the Premier League, sitting six points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.

While Slot’s debut season has been impressive, he has also faced off-field challenges, including contract uncertainties surrounding key players Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk, all of whom are set to become free agents at the end of the season.

Recent reports suggested that Salah and Van Dijk had agreed to new deals, but Slot dismissed those claims, stating, “We have some contractual situations that you probably don’t know about.”

“But Trent, Mo and Virgil haven’t extended yet. So we are aware of the fact that we have to be sharp and ready for things that can happen.

“My life is mainly short term but we have so many quality people at this club that look at the longer term as well. You always have to be prepared for all the new things coming up.

“The players that don’t play a big part at the moment; will they be able to do this another year? Will they fight for their place or will they [want to] go somewhere else? So we have to be prepared for the next window and what we can do.”

The upcoming summer transfer window could be pivotal for Liverpool, with reports from Spain suggesting that the Reds are eyeing a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona have reportedly ‘intensified contacts’ regarding a potential deal and are ‘exploring the possibility of an exchange’ that would see Luis Díaz head to the Camp Nou in return.

It is claimed that one of Slot’s ‘wishes is to reinforce the midfield with a world-class midfielder’ with compatriot De Jong the man he reckons ‘fits perfectly into Liverpool’s style of play’.

Barcelona, for their part, ‘do not rule out the sale’ and now their sporting director Deco ‘has opened talks with Liverpool to explore exchange options, with the intention of taking advantage of the Reds interest in the Dutchman.’

Deco ‘wants to include’ Liverpool winger Diaz ‘in a possible swap deal with De Jong’ but although it ‘sounds attractive to both sides, it won’t be a straightforward deal’.

The report adds: ‘Talks between Deco and Liverpool are still ongoing, and in the coming weeks there could be progress on this possible surprise operation. Barça know that they need quality reinforcements to remain competitive, and the possibility of incorporating Luis Diaz through an exchange with De Jong is an option that the club is studying closely.’