Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Monday, January 4.
Saliba to join Nice on loan
Arsenal defender William Saliba is set to sign for French side Nice on a six-month loan.
Saliba has endured a frustrating half-season in north London. He was not included in Arsenal's 25-man squads for the Premier League or Europa League and has not been able to play as a result. A loan was not secured in the summer - which Mikel Arteta admitted was frustrating - and Saliba has had to wait for his chance to gain regular football.
This comes after spending his first season at the club on loan at Saint-Etienne, who Arsenal signed him from, as a part of the £28million deal that was agreed in 2019.
And so, with the January window now open, Arsenal have agreed a deal with Nice to send Saliba on loan to the French club.
There is no obligation to buy included in the deal and Saliba will welcome an opportunity to gain regular playing time as he looks to put right a difficult start to his Arsenal career.
Elneny transfer decision made
Arsenal will keep Mohamed Elneny until the end of the season, despite interest from Besiktas, who the midfielder spent last season with on loan.
Elneny made 36 appearances for Besiktas last year after he was allowed to leave Arsenal when Unai Emery deemed him surplus to requirements. However, after being reintroduced into the first-team set-up by Arteta, the Egyptian is set to remain with the club beyond January.
Reports in Turkey claimed that Besiktas were readying to bid for Elneny, but football.london understands that Arsenal have no interest in selling Elneny.
Elneny has made 18 appearances in all competitions already this season, including nine league starts.
Buendia swap deal considered
Arsenal are reportedly considering a swap deal for Norwich City star Emi Buendia, per the Independent.
The Argentine has impressed in the Championship this season following relegation from the Premier League. He scored his seventh goal of the season at the weekend and now has 25 assists across his last three seasons with the Canaries.
The report states that Arteta views the Argentine as an ideal signing to provide fluidity and creativity to his midfield, something that has been a major issue for the team so far this season.
Norwich are reportedly looking for at least £40m, but Arsenal are set to investigate the possibility of a player-plus-cash deal, with Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson said to be potential options to send the other way.
Arteta previously said that Arsenal will focus on outgoing players, rather than substantial acquisitions during January. A swap deal would allow Arsenal to add to the squad without further bloating already large numbers.
