Advertisement

Arsenal transfer news: Four defensive targets Unai Emery could swoop for in January

AP
AP

Unai Emery is facing a defensive crisis heading into the new year and has admitted it may force him into the market for a new addition next month.

Thanks to a combination of injuries and suspensions, Arsenal will head to Southampton this weekend with just one fit centre-back available in Laurent Koscielny, who has not featured in the Premier League since March.

"I think if we can take one player to help us at centre-back, I think it's a good option,” Emery said this week.

"The transfer (window) is not easy. Koscielny is coming back and for the team it's very important he is coming back."

Here are four defenders Arsenal could look at during the January window

Eric Bailly

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The Manchester United man, like many, is having a tough time under Jose Mourinho. Brought in as a supposed saviour to the back four at Old Trafford, the Ivory Coast international has struggled for game time this season after returning from injury.

Mourinho has often complained about his dearth of talent at centre back making United an altogether unhappy place for Bailly this season. At just 24, a new lease of life at another club could still make a top-level defender out of the former Villarreal man.

Gary Cahill

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

The Chelsea captain has been caught in two minds over a January exit with his playing time at the west London club limited this season.

There is no doubt the former England international is still capable of turning out at the highest level, even if it is just in the short term for a situation such as Emery’s.

The 32-year-old is in the final year of his deal at Chelsea, meaning he’ll be a cheap option should Arsenal need to move, however, there would be a question mark over his willingness to play for another London club and a rival in the Gunners.

Fernando Calero

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

A key man at mid-table La Liga side Real Valladolid, Calero could well be the no-nonsense, relatively cheap, option the Gunners need.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, scouted by Arsenal, is thought to have a release clause in his current deal worth £10million and, while some reports have suggested there is no immediate desire from the player’s side to leave Valladoliod, a move to a top six Premier League side would always be tough to turn down.

Chris Mepham

(Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs)
(Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs)

A left field option, but the young Welsh international has been turning heads in the Premier League with his performances for Brentford.

The young centre-half would come very much from the Rob Holding mould of arrivals at the Emirates, but has attracted interest from a number of top flight sides, including Bournemouth.

The Bees slide since the departure of Dean Smith to Aston Villa has made staying put in January far less an attractive option than it had previously been, with any ambition of promotion or a play-off spot this season having dwindled.