Arsenal ‘line up Matthijs de Ligt and Dortmund star but may have to wait until summer transfer window’

ARSENAL are lining up a sensational move for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports.

The Athletic report that the Gunners are tracking the Bayern defender ahead of a move.

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Matthijs de Ligt is among Arsenal’s top transfer targets[/caption]

However, it is much more likely that it will take place in the summer rather than this January.

Mikel Arteta has been candid in his desire to bring in bodies and said simply in a recent press conference: “We need more players.”

But the club are facing FFP issues and may be limited in who they can bring in.

Their high expenditure, particularly on Declan Rice, means they will have to balance the books over the coming windows.

There’s also David Raya, who was brought in on a loan with obligation to buy because of FFP issues last summer.

Arsenal will have to pay £27million for him next summer and that will need to be accounted for in the budget.

The Athletic report that strengthening the defence remains the priority for the Gunners in January but the changing nature of the window means that other areas could come into focus.

Midfield could be an area Arsenal choose to reinforce with Thomas Partey due to go off to AFCON.

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Aside from de Ligt, Arsenal may also target Borussia Dortmund‘s Nico Schlotterbeck.

But the price-point and contract situations of both players mean they are deals that may have to wait for the summer.

Arsenal are also interested in 17-year-old Ajax centre-back Jorrel Hato who has captained his team on occasion this season and also made an appearance for the Dutch national side.

Hato would not come cheap, however, meaning signing a defender on a short-term loan is the most likely option.

Arsenal also remain long-term admirers of Douglas Luiz but Villa’s league form makes selling to Arsenal in January an unlikely prospect.