Arsenal
Noni Madueke’s Next Move: Four Routes Away From Arsenal
Madueke’s Arsenal situation has prompted January links with Juventus, Atlético Madrid and more.
Noni Madueke’s unsettled start at Arsenal has opened the door to January speculation, with several clubs already being linked. Juventus and Atlético Madrid are among those reportedly tracking the situation, while the winger’s place in the current pecking order looks increasingly fragile.
Madueke is presently the back-up to Bukayo Saka on the right, and he is also facing competition from 16-year-old Max Dowman. On the other side, he provides cover for Christos Tzolis, although he has not featured there this season. Tzolis was injured while playing for Greece last week, but Eberechi Eze had been taking those minutes before that.
His early-season form has also had international consequences. England manager Thomas Tuchel left Madueke out of the September-October squad, despite the winger making five appearances at the 2026 World Cup. The message is clear enough: club performances matter, and they matter quickly.
Atlético Madrid are one possible landing spot. Diego Simeone has used a 3-4-2-1 system this season, which could leave Madueke operating as a wingback or narrow winger. Marcos Llorente and Lee Kang-in currently hold the right-sided roles, with Giuliano Simeone another option. Simeone Sr. has previously taken Kieran Trippier and Conor Gallagher to Spain, but breaking into the side would still be difficult.
Liverpool are another theoretical fit, though the mechanics of any deal would be complicated. The club spent heavily in the summer to replace Mohamed Salah, yet the right side remains unresolved. Rio Ngumoha and Víctor Muñoz have struggled there, while Cody Gakpo has handled the role best so far. Madueke is a natural right winger, but Arsenal’s fee and Liverpool’s status as a direct rival would make negotiations awkward.
Juventus remain a serious possibility. Francisco Conceição owns the right flank, but depth behind him is thinner, especially compared with the left, where Kerim Alajbegović arrived in the summer. Madueke has already shown a willingness to leave London, having joined PSV Eindhoven at 16. A permanent move would likely require movement elsewhere first, while even a loan could depend on the numbers.
Arsenal
Alex Scott’s likely next move and the clubs in contention
Chelsea are said to lead the race for Alex Scott, with Arsenal and Liverpool also linked.
Alex Scott’s future is still open to question, with Bournemouth expecting strong transfer attention to continue around the midfielder. Chelsea are said to be in the strongest position at present, while Arsenal and Liverpool remain part of the picture.
Scott underlined his qualities with a standout full debut for England in the 7-0 win over Croatia, showing the combination of athleticism, tenacity and grace that has made him such an attractive target. Chelsea’s interest is not new. They made more than one bid for him in the most recent transfer window, but Bournemouth rejected every offer. Those proposals were reportedly above $79 million (£60 million).
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea plan to revisit the pursuit over the next year and are currently leading the race. Bournemouth are understood to have ruled out a winter move, although Chelsea are prepared to wait until next summer, when Scott would have only one year left on his contract.
Arsenal are also among the clubs linked, and the appeal is obvious. The chance to join the Premier League champions would be significant, but regular playing time would not be guaranteed. Arsenal already have a strong midfield group, with Declan Rice the main figure and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino, Martin Ødegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz all in the mix. The situation became even more competitive with the arrival of Bruno Guimarães.
That leaves Scott with a clear footballing choice to make if interest turns into a formal move. Arsenal would be an impressive destination, but the squad balance suggests he would face serious competition for minutes. Arsenal also have other areas needing attention, particularly on the left wing and at center forward, which makes Scott a valuable but not essential target.
Arsenal
Gyokeres Reaffirms Arsenal Commitment After Nations League Run
Gyokeres denies summer exit talk, but his Arsenal minutes remain limited as his Sweden form keeps rising.
Viktor Gyokeres has dismissed the summer speculation around his Arsenal future, insisting he never seriously considered moving on and was always settled at the club.
The striker said the noise around him did not change his thinking during the break between seasons. He pointed to a full preseason and a clear focus on Arsenal, adding that his decision was never in doubt. “Of course, there was a lot of speculation,” he confessed. “But I had a full preseason and it felt good. I was fully focused on Arsenal. For me, staying was a given. I’m extremely happy at the club.”
There is, however, a separate issue that may shape the coming weeks. Gyokeres has not yet enjoyed the regular league minutes he might have expected at the start of the campaign. Cup matches have provided opportunities, but Havertz has remained the preferred starter in the Premier League.
That frustration is not hidden. Earlier in this international break, Gyokeres admitted: “It’s clear that I want to play football—and as much as possible,” Gyokeres admitted earlier in this international break.
His international form has offered a sharp contrast. Gyokeres scored in Sweden’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, making it three goals from three games during this break. More significantly, he has become the first striker to score in six straight UEFA Nations League matches, a run that includes goals and an assist against Estonia and Slovakia, plus four goals against Azerbaijan toward the end of 2024.
With the Premier League set to resume next weekend, an injury to Havertz, who left Germany duty last week, could open the door for Gyokeres to press his case in front of Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal
Saliba edging towards November return as Arsenal weigh key fixture run
Saliba could return in November as Arsenal prepare for a difficult run of fixtures without rushing him back.
William Saliba is increasingly being viewed as a possible November return for Arsenal, a development that would hand Mikel Arteta a major defensive boost ahead of a demanding winter schedule.
The centre back has not played since the pain from a long-running back problem became too much to manage. Over the summer, he pushed through Arsenal’s Premier League run-in and their progress to the Champions League final, before eventually being forced off in the World Cup semifinal loss to Spain. Since then, the wait for a clear update has continued, with Arteta only previously describing the issue as “long-term”.
Concerns that Saliba could be out until 2027 now appear to have eased. According to L’Équipe, the France international could be back on the pitch “sometime in November.” That remains a loose timeline, but it is still a more encouraging picture than the one Arsenal feared not long ago.
The report adds that Saliba knows he must not rush himself back. A source said: “He knows he has to take his time. He’s suffered too much and wants to return at 100%” even if Saliba “misses it terribly.”
That caution matters. Saliba has already spent more than two months on the sidelines, and an early return could risk a setback that sends him back into treatment. Arsenal’s upcoming schedule gives little room for error.
Their first major test after the November international break is away to Newcastle United, a ground that has caused them problems in the past. Before last season’s dramatic win there, Arsenal had lost three straight trips to St James’ Park. That match could be followed by a run containing Borussia Dortmund, Man City, Brentford, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Bournemouth and Man Utd, plus Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
Whether Saliba is ready for that stretch or not, Arsenal will be hoping the wait ends soon, but only when he is truly fit.
