Arteta handed perfect striker transfer loophole with new agreement in £27m deal

Arsenal's hopes of signing a new striker in the January transfer window could finally be fulfilled in the coming weeks after a loophole in the market emerged.

So far, it's been safe to say the Gunners' business in the transfer market has been underwhelming. Heavy calls for reinforcements to Mikel Arteta's attacking line intensified towards the back of 2023 after back-to-back defeats to West Ham United and Fulham.

Since then, the north Londoners have played just once - a 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool. Edu Gaspar hasn't made any waves in the transfer window, as of yet, but the decision to make David Raya's loan move from Brentford permanent could open up a new avenue for further movement.

The goalkeeper didn't join permanently originally in the summer to help the club's finances. Having already spent £300million to bring in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber to the club, all measures were taken to ensure the club did fall behind in the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested the £27million deal "will be soon". Should the Spain international's loan move be made permanent this month, it will allow Arsenal the chance to bring in a player on loan.

Premier League rules state that clubs can't loan more than one player from each club. "The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time."

Arsenal could sign another Premier League player on loan but not from Brentford. Raya's loan to the Emirates Stadium had prohibited the Gunners from attempting to structure an initial loan move for Ivan Toney.

The striker, who is destined to make his return to football this weekend, has been earmarked as the north Londoners' number one priority this month. With no settling-in period in the Premier League needed, Toney would inject some much-needed power and arrogance into Arsenal's attack, but at a cost.

Valued close to £100million by Brentford, there is no way Arsenal will be able to sanction that sort of fee this month. Loaning him in January with a fixed-fee guaranteed to be paid in the summer could work a treat for both clubs.