TODAY TOP TRANSFER: Arsenal already know their perfect Bukayo Saka perfect replacement and Mikel Arteta should go all out to sign him this winter.

Arsenal already know their perfect Bukayo Saka replacement and Mikel Arteta should go all out to sign him

Right now, talk of Arsenal making an audacious attempt to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao is getting a little louder.

Williams is willing to leave Spain, something that has offered Arsenal reason for encouragement

However, a deal appears almost impossible given the size of the wages the Spain international is reported to be earning at Athletic.

Should he arrive at Arsenal or any other club in the Premier League, Williams would surely expect a pay rise, meaning he could become his new side’s top earner.

That’s surely not a feasible move for Mikel Arteta in January, explaining why it’s time to look closer to home.

Bryan Mbeumo is the perfect signing for Arsenal in January

Towards the end of last summer, Arsenal considered Bryan Mbeumo, a versatile forward who continues to improve at Brentford.

Since their interest, the 25-year-old has now netted 13 goals in 20 Premier League matches – a player thriving since Ivan Toney left.



Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

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Stylistically, Mbeumo is now looking like the closest thing Arsenal might be able to find to a Bukayo Saka replacement this month.

Saka could be out until March or beyond, and Arsenal will surely need to find further left-footed cover for the right side of their attack, especially considering that Ethan Nwaneri is now injured too.

Signing Mbeumo from Brentford mid-season will be incredibly difficult for Arsenal, but it would be a sign of the club’s ambition should they dig deep into their reserves.

Even when Saka is back fit, the Cameroon international will be a perfect addition for Arteta, able to play either centrally or out wide.

And Mbeumo’s quality has been further underlined by his ability to even play as a wing-back this season.

Bryan Mbeumo is the best Bukayo Saka replacement available

Looking at Gabriel Martinelli and Saka in particular, Arteta loves his wingers to play with a high defensive work rate, something Mbeumo has also learned to do under Thomas Frank.

In truth, the winger could cost Arsenal way beyond £50m in the middle of the season as mentioned, but for a left-footed winger who can mirror Saka for the coming months, a deal could turn out to be priceless.

Arsenal desperately need a boost in their pursuit of Liverpool in the Premier League title race, and January presents a perfect opportunity.

Brighton are already beating Arsenal to one deal, and the team who have replaced Edu Gaspar in the club’s transfer room now need to prove their credentials.

Sign Mbeumo, and Arsenal could still have hope in the title race.