Arsenal and Manchester United remain locked in a battle to make the top four this season. The Gunners have stuck by Mikel Arteta whilst United decided to part ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and instead appoint Ralf Rangnick on a coaching deal until the end of the season.
The January window could prove pivotal for both Arsenal and United who will be looking to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. After 19 matches, Arsenal have the advantage with 35 points whereas United, having played two fewer matches, have 28.
Arsenal’s needs in the window fall on the central midfield and striker roles in the squad. Alexandre Lacazette looks the only assured option who will remain until the end of the season.
Folarin Balogun looks set to depart on loan whereas the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah remain uncertain with the January sales of both very possible.
This has led the Gunners to look towards possible replacement options and according to ESPN, Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri is a player they have scouted.
The striker, valued at £36 million according to Transfermarkt, has suffered an injury this season but has been a regular goalscorer for the Spanish club under Julen Lopetegui.
Knowing the Moroccan could leave the club, Sevilla have been wise to look at possible replacements for the striker and Anthony Martial has arisen as a target.
The French forward has struggled for regular minutes since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. The rise of Mason Greenwood has furthered his frustrations.
Arsenal’s move for En-Nesyri, however, appears to have taken a blow after United rejected a loan bid from Sevilla for the Frenchman. United are said to be open to allowing the player to leave but Sevilla would need to cover the entirety of the player’s wages and offer an acceptable loan fee.
United would surely be conscious of beginning the fall of a domino effect in the market that could help their rivals secure a striker to assist them in winning the top-four race.
Ralf Rangnick and United will be concerned that any reinforcement that the Gunners secure this winter could have a hugely detrimental effect on the club’s ambitions to qualify again for the Champions League.
Arsenal have other striker targets should a move for En-Nesyri not be possible. But the chances of securing a deal for their alternative options may require waiting for the summer negating the effect on the current campaign.
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