ARSENAL are ready to make a move to sign a replacement for crocked Thomas Partey – who is sidelined until the new year.
The Ghanaian moved to the Emirates in 2020 for £45million but has spent nearly a year off the pitch due to countless injuries.
The 30-year-old Ghana international will likely be ruled out of action for the rest of the year after suffering a thigh problem in training earlier this month.
And his latest spell on the sidelines has accelerated plans to cash in on a player who has missed 57 games and been unavailable for 296 days.
Partey is one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players at £200,000-a-week and has a contract which runs to 2025.
He was one of Arteta’s first major signings but has rarely been available for consistent selection due to a long-running series of muscular injuries.
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Even if the player can achieve his target of a New Year’s comeback, he is due to head to the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
And that has persuaded the club to make a move on recruiting a new midfielder at the Emirates in the next transfer window.
Five midfielders could feature on the Gunners transfer target list as Mikel Arteta's side look to reinforce their midfield.
SunSport takes a look at each of them…
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Douglas Luiz – Aston Villa
Luiz is a player Arsenal have admired for some time but Villa also rate him highly.
The Gunners could be set to bid for the Brazilian when the transfer window re-opens as he is their number one target, reports Fabrizio Romano.
They were keen on Luiz in 2022 but the 25-year-old signed a new contract at Villa Park.
He is a key player for Unai Emery's side, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 11 Premier League games this season.
Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad
Zubimendi caught Arsenal's eye previously with his performances and the Gunners considered a summer move.
The club have continued to monitor the 24-year-old and could be ready to make a bid when the transfer window re-opens, claims Football.London.
The Spain international penned a new contract last year which ties him down at Sociedad until 2027.
But it is understood he has a release clause worth £52m, which Arsenal could activate.
Kalvin Phillips – Manchester City
The Manchester City midfielder, 27, knows he needs to be playing regularly if he is to start at Euro 2024.
And that is unlikely to happen for him at the Etihad after another frustrating season under Pep Guardiola.
City told Phillips in the summer they would be willing to let him go on loan but the £45million former Leeds star chose to stay.
And the Gunners could lure the Englishman to North London if he wants to remain in Gareth Southgate's squad.
Ruben Neves – Al-Hilal
Premier League clubs are prepared to vote on a proposal to ban loans between associated clubs with the same owners.
And should it go through, the laws would be a big blow for Newcastle who are aiming to sign Neves – as the Toon and Al-Hilal are majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
But this could be great news for Arsenal who could strike a deal with the £47million ex-Wolves midfielder.
He made 253 appearances and scored 30 goals for the West Midlands side. He also won the EFL Championship in his first season at Wolves.
Aurelien Tchouameni – Real Madrid
After signing £105million Declan Rice from West Ham in the summer, the Gunners turned their heads to Real Madrid star Tchouameni.
Los Blancos signed the Frenchman for £85million in 2022 from Ligue 1 giants Monaco.
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Tchouameni failed to stamp his authority on Carlo Ancelotti's team last season – but has been a regular starter for the Spanish side this term.
But a stress fracture in his left foot has sidelined the 23-year-old until the new year – meaning a move for him in January could be very risky.
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