Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Deadline day latest, Callum Wilson eyed, Mikel Arteta rubbishes Barcelona links

No talks for Benzema

Arsenal are not actively working on a deal to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "In the last 48 hours I’ve received many questions from Arsenal fans asking about Karim Benzema and Arsenal.

"From what I’m hearing, again today, there is nothing ongoing between Karim Benzema and Arsenal.

"As of today, Arsenal are not working on a deal to sign Karim Benzema, it is simply not true.

"That’s the reality, I don’t want to sell you dreams. I know that the name of Benzema is exciting many fans around the world but as of today, from what I’m hearing, Arsenal are not working on this deal."

Kiwior attracting interest

Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is a target for AC Milan, according to Sky Italia.

The centre-back has appeared as a potential option for the Serie A side should their approach for other targets be unsuccessful.

Milan are keen on signing Aston Villa loanee Clement Lenglet from Barcelona as well as Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah.

But if neither player is up for the move, Kiwior will become their main target this month.

Rekik returns

Wigan Athletic have confirmed that defender Omar Rekik has returned to Arsenal.

Rekik had spent the first half of the season on loan at the League One side but his deal has now expired.

And rather than having his spell extended, the 22-year-old will be heading back to the Emirates.

'I would like to see Toney at a bigger club'

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal should sign Ivan Toney to solve their goalscoring issues up front.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Ferdinand said: "His goal record has been really good.

"At Arsenal, they need someone who is going to be occupying centre-backs in the penalty area.

"Jesus, I think is a teammate’s dream. I think every player loves playing with Jesus because he offers himself so much to the team. He will help you out in a bad position, he will chase down opponents, he will keep possession of the ball and play people in.

"But you get your goals in the box. That’s where you are going to be judged.

"I think he has that Brazilian laid back, I want to enjoy my football vibe and I think Ivan Toney is more focused on being in the box. So he might suit Arsenal.

"But have Arsenal got £100m? I don’t think Brentford sell for any price in this window. Summer might be too late.

"I would like to see Toney at a bigger club and see what he could do."

Arsenal still need a striker

Despite a 5-0 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend, talkSPORT's Perry Groves still thinks that Arsenal need a new striker.

Speaking after the game, Groves said: "They need a centre forward.

"Because of FFP, it seems like Arsenal can't spend any money, but if they could, Toney would fit them perfectly.

"He's a lot better technically than what people give him credit for, he's got the arrogance that he could go straight in and settle in.

"Last season, Arsenal had four plays score over 10 Premier League goals whereas this season, that hasn't happened at the moment.

"The games before the Crystal Palace game, they had 48 shots and didn't score."

Battle for Boniface

Arsenal are part of a three-team battle for Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, according to The Sun.

The Gunners have been eyeing a move for Boniface while Chelsea have also been linked.

And West Ham are the latest team said to be interested, with the Hammers willing to break their transfer record for the Nigerian.

The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals and assisted seven in 16 appearances in the Bundesliga this season.

Everton's asking price

Everton are reported to be willing to sell Amadou Onana for £50million.

That's according to The Telegraph who also claim that Newcastle could join Arsenal in making a move for the Belgian.

Onana has been heavily linked to a move to the Gunners who are on the lookout for a new midfielder.

At that asking price, a January switch is unlikely but the interest is expected to continue in the summer.

Simons admired

Arsenal have admired Xavi Simons since last summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The PSG star who is on loan at Leipzig has captured the attention of the Gunners but they are yet to make a move.

Giving an update on the situation, Romano said: “My understanding is that Arsenal were following him last summer but now, there’s absolutely nothing new.

“PSG are very happy with his loan in Leipzig, and decision time will be in the summer – nothing is being decided in January for Xavi Simons.”

Rice sparks Toney rumours

Declan Rice has added more fuel to the fire when it comes to Ivan Toney to Arsenal rumours.

Toney scored on his return to action yesterday and celebrated his by sharing an image with the caption: "I’ve been manifesting this moment for a long time.

"It’s been difficult being out this long but stepping foot out on the pitch yesterday, scoring and winning was worth the wait. I’d also like to thank the fans who have stuck by me throughout!

"Losing my uncle during this time has also been tough but I’d like to dedicate my goal to him, I hope he’s proud. Let’s keep working and building together. Showtimeeee bebehh [red heart emoji and fist emoji.]"

Rice then commented on the post, saying: "yessir," with a flame emoji.

Fans have had their hopes boosted over a potential move for Toney but of course, this is likely to just be a friendy exchange.

Ligt my fire

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their rumoured interest in Matthijs de Ligt.

Both the Gunners and Manchester United have been linked with the Dutch defender.

Sky in Germany, per the Evening Standard, reports that De Ligt could be open to leaving Bayern Munich in the summer.

Arsenal not the best fit for Toney?

Troy Deeney believes that Ivan Toney would be the perfect fit for Chelsea.

The former Watford striker joined talkSPORT following Toney's return for Brentford and identified where his next destination should be.

Deeney said: “You know who's going to score, he lives for the headlines.

"He's got an unerring confidence and unwavering confidence that most footballers have, but his is more like steely determination mixed with arrogance. 

"Total transparency, I thought he looked tired, which is normal. Normally he would drop deep, set it in the box and then make his way into the box. 

"I thought that a few times, but he managed himself really well. He'll only get bigger, better and stronger. 

"I think if they can keep him between now and the end of the season, they've done really well.

"I keep saying it, I've said it before, but I think Chelsea is the perfect landing spot for him. I really do."

Brentford can't afford to lose Toney

Brentford have been urged to keep hold of Ivan Toney, with Gabby Agbonlahor saying that he'll help them to avoid relegation.

The striker scored on his comeback against Nottingham Forest to help the club to a 3-2 win - their first win in six - a result that has seen them move away from the drop zone.

Speculation will continue around the 27-year-old's future amid interest from Arsenal, but speaking to talkSPORT, Agbonlahor says that he has to stay.

“It’s a bit too close for comfort," Agbonlahor said.

"100 per cent they’ll get £60million in the summer – I don’t think they’ll sell him for less than that in the summer.

“If you’re the Brentford owner you’re asking ‘what does it mean to stay in the Premier League?’ and ‘how much are we going to lose?’

“They’ve got to keep him.”

Cundy added: ““If they were 10^th or 11^th I think they might be prepared to listen to a few offers.

“It makes financial sense to keep him because they’re too close to the relegation zone."

He’s back

Ivan Toney has announced he is back in style by scoring a stunning free-kick just 19 minutes into his comeback.

The Arsenal and Chelsea target was making his return to the Brentford team after serving his eight-month FA betting ban.

And he made an instant impact against Nottingham Forest by equalising in emphatic fashion.

He curled a low free-kick around the wall which nestled into the bottom right corner.

Neville swipe

Gary Neville reignited a debate with Arsenal fans after Gabriel's opening goal in the 5-0 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Gunners defender broke the deadlock with a thunderous header from a Declan Rice corner early on.

A Dean Henderson own-goal doubled their lead, although it was Gabriel's head once again that caused serious problems as his effort deflected off the Palace goalkeeper.

However, the Brazilian was on the wrong end of an aerial challenge at St James' Park earlier this season as Joelinton climbed above him for Anthony Gordon's controversial winner.

Neville received a furious backlash from Arsenal fans after he claimed at the time it wasn't a foul - and has now accused them of double-standards.

Gabriel made a similar leap above Palace defender Chris Richards to put the Gunners in front and there were few complaints about the goal.

Posting an image of the incident, Neville said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Arsenal fans think this is a foul then."

Injury fear

Mikel Arteta has revealed Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes both went off with knocks during the 5-0 win against Crystal Palace.

The duo were hauled off in the second half due to respective muscle problems, with it unclear whether they will be set for a spell on the sidelines.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arsenal boss Arteta said: "He [Rice] was feeling some tightness.

"I don’t know exactly what muscle it was, but when he says that at 3-0, obviously we don’t want to take risks.

"And the same with big Gabi as well, he had some discomfort, he had a tackle in the first half and was struggling a bit so it was the right moment to take them off."

Fan protest

Crystal Palace fans aimed a stinging attack at the board by unfurling multiple banners in the stands during their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal.

A series of banners were held up by angry supporters in the away end with the Eagles now winning just one out of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

As the game approached full-time, a large banner was held up, which almost covered half of the travelling support.

It read: “Wasted potential. On and off the pitch, weak decisions. Taking us backwards.”

Palace owner Steve Parish refused to react when it was brought out, as he gave a stony-faced reaction alongside club legend Mark Bright.

Another banner could be seen with the words: “No shared vision. No structured plan. Parish out, Yanks out.”

Full time

Arsenal ran out 5-0 winners at the Emirates to move up to third in the Premier League table.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to score twice as the Gunners ran riot against Crystal Palace.

In his short cameo off the bench, the Brazilian has now doubled his goals tally in the top-flight this season.

Three and easy

What a wonderful Arsenal goal!

This time it's Leandro Trossard who capped off a quick counter-attack in emphatic style.

David Raya claimed a cross, before quickly finding Gabriel Jesus with a long throw.

The Brazilian in turn found Trossard with a delightful through, with the Belgian then cutting inside and firing into the top left corner from 12 yards out.

Another one

Arsenal have added a second goal and it's Gabriel again!

Again it's Gabriel, who this time headed home after getting on the end of Bukayo Saka's corner.

And that's half-time!

Not much has happened in truth, but it's the Gunners who go into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Goal

Moving away from transfer talk, Arsenal are leading against Crystal Palace at the Emirates.

And it's defender Gabriel Magalhaes who has scored his second of the season.

The ex-Lille centre-back got on the end of Declan Rice's whipped in corner to head into the bottom right corner.

No to Toney

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer took a brief break from politics to discuss his beloved Arsenal with talkSPORT on Saturday.

We caught him on his way to the Emirates for Arsenal vs Crystal Palace and the 61-year-old gave his verdict on the Gunners' links with Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

While Sir Keir does not see Gabriel Jesus as the long-term solution up top, the leader of the Opposition does not think the Gunners should sign Toney either.

He told talkSPORT: “Firstly, I don’t think we’re going to. It looks like he’s going to stay at Brentford.

“He hasn’t played for a long time now. For Arsenal, if we’re going to sign a striker, and there’s a good case for that, it’s got to be someone completely on their game.

“It’s January, going into February, we can’t have someone who is going to take a bit of time to get adjusted. This is for this season.

“My feeling is it probably won’t happen. But the squad Arteta has got there… that’s the best squad I’ve seen in a long time and I’ve seen a lot of Arsenal football for many years. It’s a great squad.

“It’s about confidence and one or two extra players, especially that striker role. Jesus is great but he doesn’t score enough goals. But he wins balls he shouldn’t get anywhere near.”

Don’t go Smith Rowe

Arsenal legend Martin Keown would be upset to see academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe go to West Ham.

talkSPORT understands the Hammers are interested in signing the 23-year-old midfielder on a six-month loan deal.

However, Keown argues that the Gunners may only be interested in a full sale to raise vital funds and stay on the right side of Financial Fair Play rules.

“It might be that they want to send him on loan to give him one more chance to prove himself after all the injuries,” Keown told talkSPORT.

“But if Arsenal are looking to do some business and buy a striker, maybe this is the best way to raise some cash.

“I wouldn’t want to see him go. I think he’s an outstanding talent.

“But with Financial Fair Play, Arsenal might need to make something happen.”

Arsenal starlet heads to Austria

Mika Biereth has joined SK Sturm Graz on loan for the rest of the season.

The Arsenal starlet spent the first half of the season on loan with Motherwell, scoring six goals in 15 appearances.

After being recalled by the Gunners, reports suggested that a loan switch to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday was on the cards, but instead Biereth will be heading to Graz.

Sturm Graz are currently sitting second in the Austrian Bundesliga with a Europa Conference League tie with Slovan Bratislava to look forward to.