Arsenal close to ‘shock’ Wijnaldum loan 

Mikel Arteta could be about to bolster his Arsenal midfield, with the club closing in on a shock loan move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, according to Four Four Two. 

The Dutchman has failed to establish himself in France following his free transfer from Liverpool in the summer, and now the Gunners look set to bring him in for the rest of the season as they look to boost their top four push. 

With Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both heading to the Africa Cup of Nations later this month, Wijnaldum would fill the void left by the pair, adding quality and experience to Arteta’s squad. 

During his five-year spell with Liverpool, the 31-year-old made 237 appearances, winning both the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield. 

Gunners in pole position for Isak 

Reports in Spain have claimed that Arsenal are leading the race to sign Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, with the Basque club refusing to sell the striker to La Liga rivals Barcelona. 

The 22-year-old is one a number of strikers the Gunners are eyeing – including Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic and Lille’s Jonathan David – with a January move a possibility. 

Sociedad demanded cash-strapped Barca pay the Swedish attacker’s £75m release clause in full, but Arsenal would likely be quoted a reduced price. 

Isak scored has 38 goals in 101 games for the Basque club since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2019. 

Roma make Maitland-Niles move 

Roma have submitted a bid for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein. 

The Italian giants want to sign the 24-year-old on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, but Arsenal are yet to respond to the offer. 

Maitland-Niles almost left the Emirates in the summer and has found minutes hard to come by this season, playing just eight times in the Premier League.