Arsenal transfer news: Boost in N'Zonzi pursuit, Ozil & Sanchez to stay

Arsenal receive N'Zonzi boost for January

The Sevilla midfielder has been the lynchpin for the Andalusian team's success in recent seasons. However, a bust-up with manager Eduardo Berizzo during the Spanish side's 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League has damaged their relationship beyond repair and the Frenchman wants to leave.

He told France Football:

"The coach pointed the finger at me [at half-time of the Liverpool game]. I will not repeat it... but his words affected me. Publicly, he said in future he would only select players who fit his vision for football. What does that mean?"

"Whether in a 4-3-3, 3-5-2 or any other formation, a player must adapt to what his coach demands and I have always done it. The fact I was always professional despite the circumstances, that I always did my job, I found it unfair."

"My future is clearly away from Seville. The only thing that disappoints me is the way it has ended."

This put clubs such as Juventus and Everton on red alert along with Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger holds a long-standing interest in the player.

Now, in a news that will boost their hopes further, N'Zonzi has been left out of the Sevilla squad before their crunch match against La Liga champions Real Madrid this weekend.

All the Gunners need to do is pay the £35.2 million release clause and they can sign one of the most talented midfielders in Europe.

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Arsenal legend believes duo to stay until the end of the season

Keown believes Özil and Sanchez will stay until the season is over

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil are possibly the Gunners' best players yet their contracts are set to expire in the summer with no renewals on the horizon. Thus, there have been several speculations on how Wenger might prefer to sell the players in January than lose them for free in the summer.

However, Gunners legend Martin Keown thinks otherwise. The former defender believes Wenger is not looking for money and the duo will stay until the summer before departing for new pastures. He told BT Sport:

“I believe that they believe in the football club. They have to do well between now and the end of the season and then go with everyone’s blessing."

"Wenger wants them at the club. He wants the best players, that’s all he’s ever interested in – he is not interested in getting any money in for them."

"I think they should stay at the club and give their best and let's hope they qualify for the Champions League.”

Having played under Wenger, Keown can be expected to know the Frenchman well. Further, the increased competition for Champions League spots in the Premier League means, Wenger is better served to let the players help the club's cause and leave in the summer.

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Juventus want Shkodran Mustafi

Mustafi is wanted by Juventus

The German joined the Gunners in 2016 and is possibly the best centre-back at Wenger's disposal. At 25 years of age, he is hitting his peak unlike the young Rob Holding and Calum Chambers while having several years ahead of him unlike Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, and Nacho Monreal.

Thus, Arsenal fans will not like the report from Italian outlet, Rai Sport, stating Serie A champions Juventus are interested in taking Mustafi to Turin. The long-term injury to summer signing Benedikt Howedes has pushed the Italian side to push for a centre-back in the upcoming transfer window.

However, Arsenal themselves are looking to add quality depth to their defence, making it highly unlikely for Wenger to negotiate a deal. The only possibility for Juventus will be in the summer when the Gunners reinforce and could let Mustafi go.