Top 5 Arsenal targets for January transfer window

Top 5 Arsenal targets for January transfer window 2026

Who are the Arsenal targets for January transfer window 2026? Which players will the Gunners look to bring in when the transfer market opens again in the new season?

As the January 2026 transfer window opens, Arsenal Football Club is poised for a potentially transformative period.

With manager Mikel Arteta confirming the club is “actively looking” for signings to bolster a squad chasing silverware, the rumour mill is in overdrive.

This article analyses the five most prominent names linked with a move to North London, examining the tactical fit, feasibility, and the strategic thinking behind each potential deal. Watch & Bet on Sports =>

Read on for the list of Arsenal targets for January transfer window 2026.

Who are the Arsenal targets for January transfer window 2026?

Top 5 Arsenal targets for January transfer window 2026? Find out which players Arsenal will try and sign during the January transfer window here.

Mikel Arteta will try and improve the Arsenal Squad in the new year to help his team challenge for trophies and return to the Champions League.

Read on for the list of Arsenal targets for January transfer window 2026.

1. Rodrygo – Winger (Real Madrid)

Age: 24 | Club: Real Madrid | Position: Right Winger | Estimated Value: €70 million+

The most electrifying rumour links Arsenal with a sensational move for Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, Rodrygo.

Reports suggest the 24-year-old is pushing for a winter exit to secure guaranteed playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Arsenal and Manchester City leading the race.

For Arteta, signing a player of Rodrygo’s calibre—a proven performer on the biggest stages with Real Madrid and Brazil—would be a monumental statement of intent.

The fit is compelling. Rodrygo’s versatility to play on either wing or through the middle would add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack, offering elite dribbling, finishing, and big-game mentality. However, the deal is complex.

Despite the player’s wishes, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has publicly valued him and may be reluctant to lose a key asset mid-season, especially with other injuries in the squad.

This potential transfer would likely require a British record fee, testing Arsenal’s financial resolve but potentially providing the final piece for a sustained title challenge.

2. Leon Goretzka – Midfielder (Bayern Munich)

Age: 30 | Club: Bayern Munich | Position: Defensive Midfielder | Estimated Value: €13+ million

The link to Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka is one of the window’s more surprising narratives.

The 30-year-old German international, with 67 caps, represents a profile Arsenal have not typically targeted recently: an established star whose influence at his club has waned.

His agents are reportedly seeking a new club, and contact has been made with several Premier League sides, including Arsenal.

Goretzka would offer invaluable experience, physical presence, and a proven winning mentality from his time at Bayern. He could provide reliable cover and competition in a packed midfield.

However, this move appears unlikely for Arsenal. Reliable reports indicate that Tottenham Hotspur are the more probable destination, with manager Thomas Frank reportedly an admirer.

Furthermore, with Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and others firmly established, it is difficult to see where regular minutes would come from at the Emirates, making this link tenuous at best.

3. Davide Bartesaghi – Defender (AC Milan)

Age: 20 | Club: AC Milan | Position: Left Back | Release Clause: €4+ million

In line with Arsenal’s strategy of securing top young talent, 19-year-old AC Milan left-back Davide Bartesaghi has emerged as a serious target.

Described as possessing “positional intelligence” and comfort in possession, Bartesaghi fits the prototype of the modern full-back Arteta desires. He is seen as a player with “both immediate utility and long-term upside”.

The major obstacle is AC Milan’s stance. The Italian giants value Bartesaghi at around €45 million and have “little appetite to negotiate” in January, viewing him as a core part of their future.

Consequently, while Arsenal’s interest is genuine and driven by long-term planning, a summer move is deemed far more realistic than a January breakthrough. This is a deal for the future, not a quick fix for the present.

4. Jeremy Jacquet – Defender (Stade Rennais)

Age: 20 | Club: Stade Rennais | Position: Center-Back | Release Clause: €16+ million

With starting centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel having faced injury issues this season, adding defensive depth is a logical priority.

Twenty-year-old French defender Jérémy Jacquet of Stade Rennais fits this bill perfectly. Arsenal’s interest dates back to the summer, and the need for reliable cover could see them revive their pursuit.

Jacquet represents a more feasible and focused signing than Bartesaghi this month. He would be recruited not to immediately start, but to develop under Arteta’s guidance and provide quality insurance.

At his age and profile, he aligns with the club’s model of investing in high-potential talent who can grow in value and contribution.

This deal would be a prudent piece of squad management without the exorbitant cost or complexity of other targets.

5. Arda Guler– Midfielder (Real Madrid)

Age: 20 | Club: Real Madrid | Position: Attacking Midfielder | Estimated Value: €60+ million

Perhaps the most intriguing technical prospect on the list is Real Madrid’s Turkish playmaker, Arda Güler.

Despite being labelled a “world-class” talent, his opportunities in Madrid have been limited.

Arsenal are reportedly considering a clever loan-to-buy move, which would allow them to assess the 20-year-old in their system without an immediate major financial commitment.

Güler’s “technical ability, vision and versatility” across attacking midfield roles are highly appealing for an Arsenal side that prizes creativity.

A loan deal could suit all parties: Arsenal gain a unique talent, Güler gets the playing time he craves, and Madrid ensures his development continues at a top club.

However, as with Rodrygo, the deal hinges on Madrid’s willingness to let a talented asset leave, even temporarily.

More about Arsenal transfer targets January 2026

Mikel Arteta has set the tone by openly stating the club is on alert and prepared to act. However, he has also tempered expectations, noting that “whether we can do it or not, that’s a different story”. This window will likely be defined by opportunistic moves rather than a major overhaul.

The pursuit of Rodrygo or Güler would be opportunistic strikes for elite talent, while moves for Jacquet or Bartesaghi reflect a more structured, long-term vision.

The Goretzka link seems an outlier in the current strategy. Furthermore, to facilitate any major arrivals, Arsenal may need to consider departures, with young talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly potentially seeking loan moves for playing time.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s activity will be a test of their pull in the market and their negotiating prowess.

Securing a player like Rodrygo would send shockwaves through the Premier League, while smart deals for future stars like Jacquet or Güler would solidify the project’s foundations.

One thing is certain: as the 2026 title race heats up, all eyes will be on North London to see if Arteta can secure the signings to turn ambition into glory.

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