Arsenal transfer news: Double boost imminent; Dowman loan interest; Chelsea battle 'looms'

With the summer transfer window long closed, Arsenal are looking ahead to January as club executives ponder how to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The scouts are as busy as ever, highlighting talented targets across Europe as contract talks are held back home.

Here are the biggest Arsenal transfer rumours of the day...

Gjivai Zechiel

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Arsenal monitoring Chelsea target

Arsenal and Chelsea are both keeping a close eye on Feyenoord’s Gjivai Zechiel ahead of the January transfer window.

Per reports from Caught Offside, the two London clubs have both scouted Zechiel, a 22-year-old central midfielder and Netherlands youth international.

Feyenoord rebuffed a €17m (£14.5m) bid from Lille for the player over the summer. He is under contract until 2029, and they will not let him leave on the cheap.

Declan Rice

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Rice contract in the works

Arsenal hope to tie Declan Rice down to a new contract before the end of the international break.

The 27-year-old Rice, who signed from West Ham in a nine-figure move in 2023, has become a key player for the Gunners and is set to have his form rewarded with a new long-term deal.

The Guardian reports the club has the option to extend his current deal, which expires in 2028, by 12 months, but they would prefer to see him sign a new long-term contract.

FootballTransfers, meanwhile, report parties are on the verge of an agreement, with a new deal for Rice coming hot off the heels of Arteta’s own new deal.

Max Dowman

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Dowman in line for loan move

Max Dowman could feature in an Old Firm derby before the season is out, with both Celtic and Rangers said to be interested in signing the young phenom on loan this January.

The talented 16-year-old has made two first-team appearances so far this season, scoring a Carabao Cup brace against Ipswich.

Dowman will turn 17 on New Year’s Eve, making him eligible to go out on loan in the January transfer window should Arsenal choose to make him available.

And TeamTalk report the bitter Glaswegian rivals Celtic and Rangers are both prepared to take him on, with over a dozen other clubs having contacted Arsenal to discuss his future.

Arteta is thought to be open to letting the player leave on loan, saying last week: “We will evaluate every six months, where we are and what is the best thing for him to do and then make the right decision."