If you’ve spent the last forty-eight hours scrolling through Twitter (X) looking for a "Here We Go" for FC Arsenal transfer news, you’re probably feeling a bit deflated. It’s quiet. Maybe too quiet?
Honestly, the mood around London Colney is weirdly calm right now. Mikel Arteta and the new sporting director, Andrea Berta, are sitting on top of the Premier League table, and for the first time in what feels like a decade, the squad doesn’t actually have a "gaping hole" that needs a £100m emergency fix.
But don't let the silence fool you.
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The Jeremy Jacquet Tug-of-War
The name on everyone’s lips this week is Jeremy Jacquet. He’s the 20-year-old Rennes center-back who people are already calling "Saliba 2.0." Arsenal are massive fans. You’ve probably seen the reports from TEAMtalk and Football London—Arteta wants him, but Chelsea are trying to play the spoiler again.
It’s a classic London standoff.
Rennes are being stubborn, which is typical. They’ve basically told Arsenal that if they want the kid, they’ll have to wait until the summer or pay a "please go away" price right now. The interesting bit? Arsenal see him as the eventual successor to Ben White, who has suddenly found himself linked with a move to Everton after falling behind Jurrien Timber in the pecking order.
White isn't leaving this month. The club made that clear. You don't sell a versatile, title-winning defender in January when you're chasing a quadruple. It’s just not how Arteta operates.
What’s Actually Happening with Kenan Yildiz?
Then there’s the Kenan Yildiz situation.
This one feels a bit more "agent-led," if we're being real. Jorge Mendes has been sniffing around, and while Arsenal have made contact, Juventus aren't exactly rolling out the red carpet for a departure. Yildiz is a spark plug. He’s exactly the kind of creative "chaos factor" that could help if Martin Ødegaard or Eberechi Eze (who has been a revelation since joining from Palace) picks up a knock.
Wait, did you catch that?
A lot of people forget how much Arsenal spent in the summer of 2025. We're talking £250m. They brought in Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi. When you spend that kind of cash, the January window usually becomes a period of "scouting and vibes" rather than "signing and screaming."
The Midfield Dilemma
- The Declan Rice Problem: He plays too much. Everyone knows it.
- The Solution: Arsenal are looking at Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille and Elche’s Rodrigo Mendoza.
- The Reality: Most of these deals are being "teed up" for July.
Mendoza has a £17.5m release clause. That’s pocket change for Stan Kroenke these days, especially with his net worth reportedly skyrocketing to over £17bn lately. But it’s about the fit. Arteta mentioned recently that they won't sign someone just to fill a seat; the personality has to be perfect.
Rumors vs. Reality: The "Out" Door
Let’s talk departures because that’s where the actual movement is.
Louie Copley already headed out to Crawley on loan. Small fry, sure. But the bigger stories are Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. These kids are superstars in the making, but they need minutes. There’s been talk of January exits to find game time, though letting them go while fighting on four fronts seems like a massive gamble.
And then there's Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian has had a rough run with injuries. AC Milan have been sniffing around, but with Gyökeres still finding his feet—he’s looked a bit sluggish lately, hasn't he?—losing Jesus now would be suicidal for the title race.
The Financial "Wiggle Room"
Kieran Maguire, the football finance expert, recently pointed out that Arsenal have plenty of "PSR headroom." They could spend £100m tomorrow if they wanted to. The Champions League money is pouring in, and the new "Swiss Model" format has been a goldmine for the club’s balance sheet.
So, why haven't they?
Basically, the "Elite" players aren't available in January. You don't get a Nico Williams or a Rodrygo mid-season unless something has gone catastrophically wrong at their current clubs. Arsenal are playing the long game. They’ve hired Thomas Grønnemark (the throw-in guru) to find marginal gains on the pitch instead of just throwing money at the squad.
It’s smart. It’s boring for us fans who want a new signing every Tuesday, but it’s how you win leagues.
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What to Watch for Before Deadline Day
Don't expect a blockbuster. If Arsenal move, it’ll be for a "market opportunity"—a loan with an option to buy, or a young talent like Mendoza where they can trigger a clause and loan him back.
Keep an eye on the Arda Guler links. Fabrizio Romano has been teasing that one for months. If Real Madrid decide he needs a "Martin Ødegaard-style" career reboot, Arsenal will be at the front of the queue. But right now, it's a game of patience.
Your Arsenal Transfer Action Plan
- Stop tracking every flight from Lisbon: Gyökeres is already here. Focus on how Arteta integrates him better with Eze.
- Watch the Rennes games: If Jeremy Jacquet starts getting benched, it means his head has been turned by the North London interest.
- Ignore the Ben White to Everton links: It's paper talk. He's too important for the run-in, even if he's currently a "super-sub."
- Check the release clauses: If Arsenal do strike, it’ll be a quick "smash and grab" for a player like Mendoza or Antoine Semenyo (£65m clause) if an injury crisis hits the front line.
The window closes on February 2nd at 7pm GMT. Expect a lot of "monitoring" until the final 48 hours. Arsenal are in a position of strength, and for the first time in a long time, the news is that no news is actually good news.