Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres is preparing to push for a departure from Arsenal when the January transfer window opens. The 28-year-old attacker wants to leave the Gunners after experiencing a notable lack of playing time. At the same time, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is seeking to bolster his squad's depth in the mid-season market, setting his sights on a double raid on Barcelona for 27-year-old French defender Jules Kounde and 29-year-old Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Chelsea's recruitment plans also include several emerging talents, with the club currently in advanced talks to sign 20-year-old Moroccan winger Gessime Yassine from Strasbourg. The London outfit are also keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund's 17-year-old USA winger Mathis Albert, who has made a solitary appearance for the German side, while both Chelsea and Arsenal are tracking IFK Goteborg's 17-year-old Swedish midfielder Oliver Mansson. Elsewhere, Liverpool have earmarked Borussia Dortmund's 26-year-old midfielder Felix Nmecha as a contingency option if they fail to land 23-year-old Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
Premier League competition is also heating up in defense, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle all showing an interest in AS Roma's 23-year-old Brazilian defender Wesley. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have, however, ruled themselves out of the race to sign Sporting's 26-year-old Uruguayan left-back Maxi Araujo. Meanwhile, former Brighton defender Solly March is poised to sign with Championship club Charlton on a free transfer, with the 32-year-old Englishman having been without a side since being released by the Seagulls in July.
In European developments, AC Milan are taking steps to reward French midfielder Adrien Rabiot following an impressive opening to the campaign. The Serie A club are readying a fresh contract offer that would commit the 31-year-old to the team until 2030, as teams across the continent continue positioning themselves ahead of the upcoming transfer window.