Liverpool 'working on' potential Andy Robertson replacement as Arsenal eye £29 million-rated winger

The Premier League is back underway and the results are flying in once again for the second half of this already thrilling season. Liverpool are fighting to keep their lead at the top of the table, while those closest will throw everything they have at trying to stop Arne Slot winning a trophy in his debut season.

With the top flight action back and the home stretch in sight, the January transfer window is also open for business and there’s plenty to be keeping an eye on in these early stages. As the clubs start to get their plans in place for their winter business, we’ve taken a look at some of the latest transfer rumours and given our thoughts.

Arsenal eye £29m-rated winger amid Saka injury

An injury setback for Bukayo Saka has been a huge blow for Arsenal and they’ve wasted no time in making it clear that they are on the market for someone to plug the gap. Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the influential winger is expected to be out for ‘many, many weeks’ as he recovers from his hamstring surgery.

With a hole in their attack, the Gunners are scrambling for a new signing to temporarily replace the sidelined Saka. A few targets have been mentioned already and one of the latest is Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich. That’s according to Football Insider, who have reported that the 28-year-old has emerged as a target for Arsenal this window.

Coman is under contract until 2027 and has a Transfermarkt value of €35 million (£29m). He has started just six Bundesliga games so far this season, so regular football will certainly be something he is keen to find. The France international has contributed four goals and two assists so far this season but he is currently out injured with his own injury, which is something Arsenal will need to consider.

The 3AM Verdict: Arsenal have managed to produce some solid results even without one of their most influential players. However, their lack of threat in the 1-1 draw against Brighton showcased the need to sign reinforcements. Coman is a left-winger by trade but he is also comfortable operating on the right, and actually played most of his games in that position last season. The 28-year-old can both score and assist, and he is a proven international, which will bring a wealth of experience to the Emirates. However, his numbers are far from what Saka has been producing frequently but if the price is right, Coman could be a solid and cost friendly stopgap signing while Arteta is without his star boy.

Liverpool ‘working’ on potential Robertson replacement

Liverpool are flying in the Premier League so far this season but there have been some injury concerns along the way. Arne Slot has lost a number of players to fitness struggles already this campaign, including Alisson, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez. The backline has been affected the most and the Reds are now looking at who they can bring in to bolster their options.

Centre-back is the main area of concern but Slot is also looking to plan ahead on the left, too. According to Paul Joyce, while Liverpool are unlikely to make any left-back signings this month, they are keeping tabs on Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez among others.

Sporting director Richard Hughes is ‘working on’ the left-back situation, and Kerkez is a leading target, especially as he shares the same agent as Federico Chiesa. Kerkez, 21, has been a key part of Bournemouth’s season so far, not missing a single Premier League game. The Cherries reportedly price their defender at £40 million.

The 3AM Verdict: Andy Robertson has come under some criticism this season as some of his performances have not looked to be his best. Kostas Tsimikas is not viewed to be the Scotland captain’s successor, according to the report, so it only makes sense for the Reds to outsource. Kerkez is a player Hughes knows well, having signed him to the Cherries in 2023. As a reliable performer at just 21, he will enter an experienced backline to provide a youthful flair but also learn from some of the best around him.