Transfer Gossip: Arsenal aim for ‘unthinkable’ midfield signing to get Mudryk revenge as Chelsea plot three exits; Brighton discuss record deal

Arsenal have joined Chelsea in the race for a suddenly available midfielder, while the Blues are preparing to allow three of their recent signings to leave, and Brighton are discussing a club-record signing – all in Tuesday’s transfer gossip.

AMADOU ONANA ON ARSENAL RADAR

Arsenal have joined the three-horse race for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, who has become available after the sacking of Frank Lampard.

Lampard has lost his job as Everton manager, with the club stuck in the relegation zone. His departure might not be the only major change at Goodison Park this month, as some players could leave too.

Onana is one who is facing an uncertain future, despite only arriving at the club back in August. On Monday, reports claimed that he has become a target for Chelsea.

But according to the Daily Express, who cite sources in Onana’s home country of Belgium, Arsenal are also in contention to sign the 21-year-old.

Beating Chelsea to a deal would represent revenge after the opposite happened when Arsenal were trying to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

According to Belgian football journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the chance of Onana leaving Everton seemed “initially unthinkable” but could be possible now Lampard has gone.

Arsenal are supposedly looking at a player of Onana’s profile as they aim to strengthen their midfield. It is the next area they might want to address after adding Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior in different positions this month.

In defensive midfield, Arsenal already have Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

However, Xhaka and Elneny are both 30, while Partey isn’t too far behind at 29. It is a position Arsenal might need to evolve, therefore, and the more youthful Lokonga hasn’t exactly proven his own worth yet.

Hence, the focus could turn to his Belgium colleague, Onana. After all, he was on their radar before his Everton move. To get him, though, Arsenal will have to beat competition not only from Chelsea, but also from Newcastle United.

It is not yet clear how much it would cost to prise Onana away from Everton. The Toffees paid around £33million to sign him in the summer and tied him down to a contract until 2027.

So far, he has played 20 times for them in all competitions, getting one goal and one assist from his 18 Premier League appearances.

TRIO TO LEAVE CHELSEA FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Meanwhile, after all their recent investment, Chelsea are ready to move on three of their newer recruits.

According to the Evening Standard, some of the younger options they have brought in are set to be loaned out.

The report claims that the Blues are aiming to send Omari Hutchinson, Cesare Casadei and Gabriel Slonina on loan to Championship clubs if possible.

Hutchinson joined in the summer from Arsenal, Casadei from Inter Milan and Slonina from Chicago Fire.

Hutchinson has appeared twice for the Chelsea first-team so far. On the other hand, Casadei and Slonina are still awaiting their senior debuts for the club.

The Italian midfielder has been in good form at under-21 level, though. Meanwhile, the American goalkeeper continued developing with Chicago Fire but is now at Chelsea’s disposal.

No interested parties are named for the trio yet. But they should be able to attract interest thanks to their potential.

Two players Chelsea will not be loaning out, though, are Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher. The former has become a target for Inter and the latter for Crystal Palace.

However, the pair of academy graduates are still considered important members of the first-team squad. Therefore, January exits are off the table for them.

Another academy product, Bashir Humphreys, will be allowed to leave on loan after recently making his debut, the report concludes.

BRIGHTON TO BREAK TRANSFER RECORD

Finally in today’s Transfer Gossip, Brighton have been in talks over a club-record signing.

According to the Daily Mail, discussions have been held with Shakhtar Donetsk over a deal to reunite Roberto De Zerbi with defender Mykola Matviyenko.

The 26-year-old would willingly link up with De Zerbi again and is keen on the Premier League transfer.

Brighton could bid more than £20m for Matviyenko. Although, some disparity remains between the two clubs on his actual transfer value.

Still, the centre-back could become their record signing if they meet the demands Shakhtar have set.

The Daily Telegraph has also reported that Brighton are stepping up their interest in Matviyenko.

For him to become their record signing, he would have to cost more than the £21m paid for Enock Mwepu in 2021.