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The clock is ticking on Arsenal to complete their transfer business before the January window closes on February 2
06:00, 29 Jan 2026
Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 08, 2026 in London, England.
AI thinks Gabriel Martinelli should be sold(Image: Getty Images)
We asked AI to dictate Arsenal's transfer policy for the final few days of the winter window, and here's what it said:
We told AI to pretend it was in charge of transfers for Arsenal and to recommend some ins and outs before the window shuts on February 2.
It recommended selling Gabriel Martinelli to fund a marquee move. The Brazilian has lost his place in the starting XI for much of this season, and it could be the right time for Mikel Arteta to cash in on him, with reported interest from Saudi Arabia clearing space for a more clinical forward.
According to AI, Arsenal should spend that money on securing a blockbuster signing in the form of Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez. The £87million-rated Argentine has been linked with a move to N5 in recent weeks and is claimed to be unhappy at Atletico.
Another AI recommendation was to agree a pre-contract deal to sign 17-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Rafael Belinho from NK Kustosija as part of their wider strategy to bring in some of the world's top talents. The Gunners would do well to beat other European clubs to the teenager's signature, with Belinho only able to officially join Arsenal once he turns 18 at the Croatian club.
Another suggestion was to tie down Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber to new contracts at the Emirates Stadium. Sporting director Andrea Berta has been working hard behind the scenes to agree new deals with key players, with the mentioned trio all expected to commit their future to the Gunners.
AI claims Ethan Nwaneri should be convinced not to leave on a permanent basis in the summer. The 18-year-old recently joined Marseille on loan until the end of the season in search of more game time, with the French side's president labelling an option-to-buy agreement 'unrealistic'.
It says Arsenal should also make a move to bolster their midfield by signing 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Arsenal are said to have already stepped up their pursuit of £43m Bouaddi by taking ‘formal steps’ to agree a deal, with veteran summer signing Christian Norgaard still yet to make an impact.
Finally, AI encouraged the Gunners to wrap up their negotiations with Ajax over the sale of defender Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian is set to undergo a medical later this week and he could pen a six-month deal at the Johan Cruijff Arena, with the money Ajax had planned to spend on the loan fee said to cost the same as a permanent deal.
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