3 defenders linked with Arsenal transfer in January | OneFootball

Following Calum Chambers’ injury, Arsenal are in the market for a centre-back in January, with reports linking them to three defenders.

Calum Chambers is having surgery in London today after a ‘significant’ knee injury. The timing isn’t great, with Mikel Arteta just taking over and Chambers proving himself one of the better defenders at Arsenal.

The only upside is the January transfer window is now open. According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are looking at different potential signings. RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake and Juventus’ Daniele Rugani all make the list.

Ake is probably the most difficult signing of the three to pull off. Bournemouth won’t want to sell, especially not for a low price, and Chelsea might hijack the deal with a clause they put in the player’s contract when they sold him.

Rugani is far more available. The 25-year-old is fit enough to make the Juventus squad every single week, 22 times in total this season, but he’s only up to three appearances on the pitch. Clearly, he’s a way off the first-choice lineup.

Upamecano would make a great signing but he won’t come cheap. Even in the summer his release clause only drops to €60m. The advantage over spending a similar amount on Ake is the Frenchman is three years younger.

Arsenal reportedly have £40m to spend in January. It’s up to them to convince Juventus, Bournemouth or RB Leipzig to sell for that.