Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is said to be on the radar of North London giants Arsenal alongside Manchester United defender Eric Bailly ahead of the winter transfer window scheduled to start in 20 days time.

Cahill and Bailly have both seen their first team opportunities reduce at Chelsea and Manchester United respectively thereby prompting transfer rumours about their futures.

Gary Cahill was a regular in the Chelsea team under former manager Antonio Conte only for him to be relegated to the bench with the advent of new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.

For Eric Bailly, he has had to battle with injury woes at Manchester United in addition to various media reports which claimed that he has fallen out of favour with Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.

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Arsenal could be a good option for both players with the Gunners on the search for a defensive replacement for Rob Holding.

The young English defender suffered a serious knee injury against Manchester United on Wednesday and he has been ruled out of action for the next six to nine months as a result.

Recently retired England international Gary Cahill had earlier been linked with clubs like Aston Villa and Manchester United, while Ivorian centre-back Bailly has been the subject of transfer rumours for clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan.

January transfer market is fast approaching and clubs are making a comprehensive list of players they hope to lure to their team during the winter transaction period.

The Gunners were initially planning to get only Danny Welbeck’s replacement, having lost the England’s striker to a long-term injury which would keep out of action for the rest of the season.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery reportedly told reporters last month that he wasn’t planning to add many players to his team. He revealed that he would be in the market to search for just one striker who will serve as Welbeck’s replacement.

Unfortunately, the former Paris St-German manager will be forced to make more than one signing as initially proposed. This is as the recent injury crises rocking the North London club.

Young defender Rob Holding, who has been rock-solid at the back of the pitch, has been ruled out of action for the rest of the ongoing season.

The young Englishman picked up a knee injury in their 2-2 draw against Manchester United last week and he would take no further part for the rest of the season.

To make things worst for Emery, Shkodran Mustafi is reportedly injured in last week’s victory over Huddersfield Town. The player is said to have picked up a hamstring injury but it’s yet to be diagnosed to know how long the player will be sidelined.

The Search for Holding’s replacement

It’s inevitable, Emery must replace Holding with a new quality defender in the upcoming transfer market. According to the Sun, the Spaniard is being linked with a move for United’s outcast Eric Bailly.

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Another speculation emerging from Spain via Don Balon is suggesting that the former Sevilla manager is keeping a close eye on €11m-rated Fernando Calero who plays for Spanish side Real Valladolid.

The question is who should be signed as Holding’s backup in the next transfer market, Bailly or Calero?

Eric Bailly, 24, enjoyed regular game time in his first season at Old Trafford following his move switch from Villarreal in 2016. The Ivorian played an integral role in the club’s journey to two trophies in the season.

However, things have never been good with the no-nonsense centre-back back since then. He only manages 13 League appearances for the Red Devils throughout last season, no thanks to injury and reported misunderstanding with José Mourinho.

Bailly was one of the best Premier League defenders in 2016, therefore, Emery is certainly set to add another quality defender to his team should he decide to push through his desire to sign the Ivorian.

On the other hand, a little-known Fernando Calero is building a great name for himself in the Spanish League. His consistent display at the back hasn’t gone unnoticed by top clubs including the Gunners, who are hoping to sign him.

The 23-year-old is good in the air and his ability to cut off dangers can’t be seen in many modern defenders. Calero is a very versatile player, who could use both feet comfortably.

Though the Spaniard didn’t have much experience playing for top clubs, Arsenal could turn him to a world-class player just as they were doing with Holding before the unfortunate injury.

Considering the fact that Calero could be gotten for as low as €11m, that’s surely going to be a good buy for the Gunners.

Emery must decide if he’s going for his compatriot or he’s planning to make Mourinho regret not playing Eric Bailly more constantly

It is now established that Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has a good relationship with strong target Ousmane Dembele after a tweet on Tuesday night which sparked transfer rumours.

Ousmane Dembele had scored a classic goal for the Spanish side against Barcelona in the Champions League tie and the Gabon international was quick to storm his Twitter handle to celebrate his friend.

Both players had played together at the German Bundesliga outfit, Borussia Dortmund and left almost at the same time but to different locations.

There has, therefore, been speculations that the duo could link up again at the Emirates Stadium with reports that Ousmane Dembele is seeking a move away from the Camp Nou because he is unhappy.

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While Ousmane Dembele’s agent had come out to claim that the speculations were false, stressing that his player would remain with the Spanish side and continue his development, Aubameyang has sparked up the speculations again with his tweet.

In the tweet which he hailed his Friend, Aubameyang got replies from fans and most importantly, French striker Alexandre Lacazette saying that Ousmane Dembele should be convinced into joining the Gunners.

Aubameyang was even referred to as an agent by some of the fans as they pleaded with him to convince his friend into joining Arsenal.

French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are reported to be interested in Arsenal star player Mesut Ozil and have made an enquiry about his availability in the winter transfer window.

There have been lots of speculations regarding the future of the Germany international at the Emirates Stadium especially as regarding his poor performances as well as his sour relationship with manager Unai Emery.

These have therefore resulted in speculations that he could just find his way out of the club with lots of offers already being prepared for him.

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Premier League rivals, Man United and Chelsea are reported to be interested in giving the former Real Madrid man an escape route but they could now face competition from the French giants PSG who have identified him as an ideal signature in the January window.

It is reported that PSG are willing to hand the German star a regular starting place at the club just as he enjoyed under the former boss Arsene Wenger not minding his current form.

Ozil has missed a number of games especially the Premier League clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham respectively which hints raised rumours that he is not trusted by the Spanish manager for big league games.

Emerging reports hint that Lyon star Houssem Aouar might be the first January signing by North London side Arsenal and he would be expected to walk straight into the team.

Houssem Aouar has been on the radar of the Gunners for weeks with speculation that a bid would be submitted for him ahead of the January window and that could just be happening anytime soon with reports making round.

The 20-year-old was a strong Liverpool target some two years ago when he was to graduate to the senior team but the French side refused to let him leave the club.

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With latest reports, they seem ready to cash in on him by listening to offers from interested clubs of which Arsenal remain a top suitor.

The North London side are desperate to secure a replacement for departing Wales international Aaron Ramsey and have tipped Houssem Aouar to be the best person to undertake the role.

Aaron Ramsey’s contract with the Gunners runs into the last months and will expire at the end of the season. He has been told he would be allowed to leave as a free player as he failed to agree on a weekly wage with the club.

However, Houssem Aouar who is valued at around £35 million could be the best replacement for Ramsey at the Emirates.