Arsenal transfer news: Wenger's bold claim, shock move for Chelsea star and more, 19th December 2017

Wenger pretty confident of Ozil and Sanchez stay

The duo are in the final year of their respective contracts and neither of them are likely to sign an extension. Thus, Arsenal could end up losing their best players in Sanchez and Ozil for free in the summer. There have been reports that Wenger would consider selling the duo in January to recoup some part of their transfer fees and reinvest in suitable replacements.

However, the Arsenal gaffer wants to keep the pair until the summer to help the club's cause for achieving a top-four finish. When asked how sure he was that the squad will remain the same by the end of January, he told beINSports:

"90 per cent. With the same squad, you do not imagine you will change 10 players in January. I believe that we have to be faithful to the players we have at the moment. If we can find some additions to strengthen the squad, we will do it."

"But we have a big squad and overall the players have the needed quality, we just need to stick together and fight as much as we can until the end of the season.”

Further, he was specifically asked about the futures of Ozil and Sanchez and he replied:

“Sanchez and Ozil have a contract until the end June and that’s it.”

It remains to be seen how Wenger will respond to the situation when bids actually come in during the transfer window.

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Arsenal looking to lure David Luiz

Move to a rival?

The Brazilian is currently recovering from a knee injury at Chelsea but looks to have fallen out of favour with manager Antonio Conte after a recent bust-up. Further, the Italian has stated that Andreas Christensen is the present and future of the club in defence, possibly signalling the end of Luiz's second stint at the club.

Now, the 30-year old requires regular game-time if he has to start for Brazil in the World Cup and could be looking for a way out. In a move set to infuriate the Blues, Wenger is looking to sign the centre-back in January, as per the Daily Express. The Gunners boss reportedly likes Luiz's versatility to play in the heart of the defence as well as in defensive midfield and is willing to pay £30 million for him.

However, Chelsea will be unwilling to let the player go to a direct rival and also, the Blues need Luiz as they compete on several fronts. Nevertheless, Arsenal can push for the deal if Luiz is interested in a move and he is bound to be an upgrade over the likes of Per Mertesacker.

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Giroud's agent talks about offers and a return to France

Giroud set to consider offers in January

The Frenchman had to settle for a substitute role at the Emirates this season with Alexandre Lacazette arriving in the summer. With the World Cup on the horizon, Giroud needs to play more frequently to make it into Didier Deschamps' squad, especially given the competition for places in the national side. His agent, Michael Manuello, spoke about the situation with Foot Mercato and said:

“It can make things complicated, but a clash, that kind of thing is not in Olivier's nature, nor in mine. Now, depending on the offers, we will sit around a table and talk. The most important thing is to know what will be offered or not this winter, to find a better project."

“There will be approaches. All clubs looking for an attacker are likely to come. We must be careful and, if there is something obvious that will appear, we will try to convince Arsene to return to what has been said.”

While one can expect that the 31-year old to be not short of suitors, Manuello ruled out any move to France when he said:

“Olivier will not come back to France. Unless there is a change in his state of mind, to date the intention is not to return to France.There has been no new approach from Marseille. I have no information that Marseille was trying to contact us.”

Thus, Giroud can very likely leave the London side in January unless Wenger convinces the Frenchman to stay until the end of the season at the minimum.