Deal at final stage: £45m Pep Guardiola favorite player set to dump Man city for Arsenal in January – Edu has already spoken with the player representative

As Arsenal grapples with the persistent injury issues of Thomas Partey and the potential departures of midfield stalwarts Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny, sporting director Edu is on the lookout for reinforcements. The uncertainty surrounding Partey’s future has fueled rumors of Arsenal’s interest in bolstering their midfield, with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz emerging as a prime target, though a challenging deal to secure, according to reports.

Amidst the complexities of the Luiz pursuit, alternative options for January are being explored. One player who has surfaced on Arsenal’s radar is Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Despite being a regular under England manager Gareth Southgate, Phillips struggles for playing time under Pep Guardiola at City. Tutto Juve reports that Phillips is set to leave Manchester City in the winter window, with Arsenal being one of his preferred destinations, alongside Newcastle.

The 27-year-old, signed from Leeds in the summer of 2022, has found limited opportunities at City, making him a potential asset for Arsenal. While Serie A clubs are also in contention, Phillips’ inclination to stay in England gives Arsenal, along with Newcastle, a notable advantage in securing his services during the upcoming transfer window.