Arsenal have been eyeing a wonderkid and a £17m offer for the teenage star has been confirmed as Chelsea look to swoop and take a Mikel Arteta transfer target
Kieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist and Neil Docking
07:36, 23 Jan 2026Updated 07:37, 23 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta
View 3 Images
Mikel Arteta's table-topping Arsenal return to Premier League action(Image: )
Arsenal face competition for an exciting new transfer target as sporting director Andrea Berta looks to strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad.
This January transfer window, outgoings have also been on the agenda. Securing playing time for Ethan Nwaneri appeared to be a key objective before the transfer period began and Arsenal identified a ideal loan opportunity at Marseille, with Arteta admiring Roberto De Zerbi's approach - and the former Brighton boss keen to deploy him as an attacking midfielder.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko is heading for a permanent switch to Ajax, with his Nottingham Forest loan spell being terminated early, reports the Mirror. And Arsenal have their eye on a young prodigy who is already attracting keen interest. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates.
Porto, Portugal - October 2: Vasilije Kostov of FK Crvena Zvezda celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between FC Porto and FK Crvena Zvezda at Estadio do Dragao on October 2, 2025 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Fabio Poco/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Arsenal are scouting highly-rated midfielder Vasilije Kostov(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Wonderkid sends perfect transfer message
Arsenal transfer target Vasilije Kostov delivered the ideal statement with the decisive strike for FK Crvena Zvezda in their Europa League encounter against Malmo.
Gunners scouts were reportedly present for that midweek fixture - according to football.london. The 17-year-old midfielder, who has earned the nickname 'Balkan Barella', found himself perfectly positioned at the far post before sliding the ball home to propel his team up to 10th in the league table.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also tracking the youngster, with the German outfit dispatching scouts to Serbia on Thursday night. Red Star Belgrade's general director, Zvezdan Terzic, has since provided a candid update regarding Kostov's situation.
Speaking to football.london, he revealed: "I can't talk about exactly who has called, but we have already received an offer worth £17.45m for him. Of course [he can play in the Premier League ], but not just any team - he could play for one of the big six clubs."
Surprise switch 'mulled over' for former Arsenal target
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Douglas Luiz of Nottingham Forest looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham and Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage on December 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Douglas Luiz has struggled at Nottingham Forest(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media, Getty Images)
Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a loan swoop for Douglas Luiz, with the midfielder currently on temporary duty at Nottingham Forest from Juventus. This comes courtesy of The Athletic.
The Brazil international, 27, has fallen out of favour under Sean Dyche, with his display in the loss to Braga unlikely to have improved his standing.
Chelsea presently have restricted choices in the engine room, with Moises Caicedo seldom given a breather when fit and Enzo Fernandez deployed in more advanced areas as Cole Palmer's game time is carefully monitored.
Arsenal attempted to sign Luiz during his time at Aston Villa - with three offers turned down in the summer transfer window of 2022.
Article continues below
He moved to Juventus two years later, but his stint in Italy didn't pan out as expected, leading to his return to the Premier League on a temporary basis last summer.
Should the transfer materialise, he would be ineligible to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup second leg at Emirates Stadium.