Arsenal’s pursuit for a new central midfield signing has seen them linked with a number of top talents across Europe. The Gunners were keen on adding Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz to their squad in the summer transfer window, but a deadline day move failed to materialise after three bids were rejected by the Midlands club. The Brazilian was said to be open to a move to the Emirates Stadium but he has since signed a new long-term deal to remain at Villa Park until 2027.

Leicester star Youri Tielemans is another player who Arsenal hold a long-term interest in, but a move for the Belgian may have to wait until next summer, football.london understands. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has long been linked with a big money move to the Premier League with the Serbian midfielder continuing to impress in Serie A for the Italian side.

The 27-year-old is attracting interest from the English top-flight with both Arsenal and Manchester United thought to be keen on signing the midfield maestro. The Serbia international has already registered 11 goal contributions in 14 appearances across all competitions so far this season and could be the ideal addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad in January.

According to Italian news outlet Calciomercatoweb, the north London outfit are ‘willing to do anything’ to secure a deal for the Serbian and have already been considering an offer to put on the table, wanting to start negotiations. The bid would include current Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga heading in the opposite direction, along with a fee in the region of £43million to sweeten the deal.

Lokonga was linked with a move to Serie A champions AC Milan over the summer, but the young midfielder decided to remain at the Emirates Stadium and fight for a place in Arteta’s starting lineup. The 23-year-old has only played 526 minutes of action with his only opportunities coming as a rotation option in the Europa League or as emergency cover for Thomas Partey when the Ghanaian picked up a muscle injury earlier in the campaign.