Arsenal
Food For Thought: Five Alternative Transfer Targets For Clubs This Summer
What to do, what to do? At the time of year when the season draws to a close, it seems that due to the lack of football about the only thing that can keep us from going into a state of chronic dementia is the giddy delerium that surrounds the transfer window. With the air awash with ridiculous rumours, tenuous transfer links and Brian Swanson going mad on the SkyPad it is sometimes hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff in terms of genuine transfer gossip.
So whilst all of the big clubs will be seemingly linked with every FIFA licensed player on the planet, I have taken the liberty of penning a shortlist of five names that might actually do a job at the very top that perhaps would not have been considered by many.
Wilfried Bony (Vitesse Arnhem)
As far as goal records go, this guy is perhaps one of the most exciting and promising strikers in Europe. With a staggering 31 goals in 30 games, Bony has been terrorising defences in the Eredivise all year with his frightening combination of pace, power and aerial ability. Comparable to players like Drogba, his physical presence combined with his skill on the ball makes him virtually unplayable on his day. At 24 years old, Bony looks like he has outgrown his current club and I would be surprised if he wasn’t at one of Europe’s top clubs by the end of the summer. With Vitesse resigned to losing their star man, and with the asking price at £10million- surely someone will take a gamble on the big Ivorian.
Claudio Yacob (West Bromwich Albion)
A personal favorite of mine. Signed from Racing Club as a virtually unknown entity in this country- Yacob has settled quickly and has rapidly turned into one of the Barclays Premier League’s most impressive midfielders. A man much in the mould of Javier Mascherano, Yacob is one of those players that often goes under the radar but is nevertheless vital to his team. Blessed with excellent passing ability and an uncanny knack of sweeping up everything in front of his defence, Yacob’s industrious showings were vital in an excellent season for the Baggies. With reported interest from Man United, Athletico Madrid and you can expect to see Yacob snapping at the ankles of opposition players at one of Europe’s top clubs soon.
Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg)
One of the brightest stars in a new wave of Japanese talent coming through, Kiyotake joined Nuremberg from Cerezo Osaka in his homeland. Kiyotake has adapted incredibly impressively to the demands of European football, and was the standout player in an impressive season for his club (clocking in 4 goals and an impressive 11 assists). A small nippy player, with an eye for a killer ball and a knack of popping up with vital goals- at just 23 he is an attractive prospect for most top European clubs and he has already racked up 12 caps for his national side. Like fellow countrymen Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa before him- this young Japanese prospect looks destined for big things.
Cheikhou Kouyate ( RSC Anderlecht)
If you were to sum up this guy in one word, the word selected would probably something along the lines of “monster”. The young Senegal international is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Europe’s most formidable young defenders, and looks set to join to bigger club in the near future. A man of formidable stature (standing at a mammoth 6 foot 4) Kouyate makes a living out of bullying quivering opposition attackers into submission with his phenomenal strength and supremo like aerial ability. It is also worth noting that Kouyate is one of the fastest centre backs in the game at the minute, so apparently you can neither hide or run from Kouyate. He certainly is an ominous prospect for strikers everywhere all over Europe.
Shaun Maloney (Wigan)
This may seem a strange one, but Maloney has had a remarkably successful season at Wigan (despite the relegation). A very dangerous set piece taker and a quick and nippy player with the ball at his feet, his versatility across the midfield and tremendous ball skills means he has been a valuable asset to Wigan this season. 6 goals and 9 assists from midfield is not a bad tally in a relegated side, and whatsmore Maloney’s marauding play means that he offers much more than statistics on the pitch. Despite being in the autumn of his career (being just the wrong side of 30), he is surely worth a punt for any Premier League club to get at a cut deal price- now Wigan are in the Championship?
So, some alternative food for thought in terms of transfers. Would you like to see your club linked to any of these names?
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Star Katie McCabe Attracting NWSL Interest as Contract Expires This Summer With High Impact Player Rule Making Move Financially Viable
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is being closely monitored by National Women’s Soccer League clubs ahead of a pivotal summer for Arsenal. Several NWSL sides have shown ongoing interest for the past 18 months, fully aware that McCabe’s Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.
The situation places McCabe at an important crossroads in her career. Having tasted Champions League triumph last summer, she wants to compete at the top level and that ambition will inevitably shape any decision she makes. Arsenal face losing one of their most recognizable figures unless they act quickly.
Ten Arsenal Stars Out of Contract
McCabe is not the only high profile name at Arsenal approaching the end of her current deal. The club has a staggering number of senior players out of contract this summer including Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Laia Codina, Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Manuela Zinsberger.
This list is frankly ridiculous for a club of Arsenal’s stature. Several of these players form the core of the team and have played key roles in recent domestic and European success. Decisions made by the club and by the players themselves will shape the direction of the squad moving forward, and Arsenal cannot afford to lose multiple stars simultaneously.
High Impact Player Rule Changes Game
The introduction of the NWSL High Impact Player rule in July is already influencing how clubs view potential signings from Europe. The rule allows NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for high impact players, making moves for European stars like McCabe financially viable.
For now, McCabe remains focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal. Whether her future lies in north London or across the Atlantic will be one of the biggest stories to watch as summer approaches.
Also read: What Is The NWSL High Impact Player Rule and Who Could Be The First To Benefit From It?
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.
Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.
A Message From the Pitch
Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.
Resetting Reading Culture
Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.
The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.
The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
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