Arteta and Frank could yet make movesplaceholder image
Arteta and Frank could yet make moves | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal and Tottenham could yet sign free agents after Monday’s transfer deadline.
Arsenal had a quiet window, deciding not to add to their mammoth summer spending despite losing Mikel Merino to injury for the rest of the season. Tottenham signed Conor Gallagher earlier in the window, but they were not able to sign cover at the top end of the pitch, leaving Thomas Frank short due to Brennan Johnson joining Crystal Palace prior to Richarlison and Mohammed Kudus suffering injury issues that will keep them out for at least two months.
Free agent deals are still possible for Premier League clubs, at least until the squad submission, with any players signed after that not able to play in the Premier League, which would be no use. Here are the two free agent deals to watch.
Raheem Sterling to Tottenham
Sterling is a free agent following his exit from Chelsea by mutual consent last month. The winger was cast aside by Enzo Maresca and was not welcomed back to first team training after a rather underwhelming loan spell with Arsenal. The winger is said to be willing to take a pay cut to find a new club, and Tottenham have been linked, but they were not going to rush into a deal before the deadline, and indeed before they knew whether they could find a better option.
Sterling is a good Premier League player, even if he is not of the top bracket anymore, and at 31, he is still more than capable of playing at this level. His reputation has been tainted by the events of the last year, with how Maresca cast him aside out of nowhere and then a frustrating Arsenal loan spell that followed.
But Sterling had plenty of credit in the bank before that that should not be forgotten, winning four Premier League titles. Ultimately, Spurs are in desperate need for attacking options having failed to find any in the window, and a free gamble on Sterling who, as mentioned, is willing to reduce his wage, may well be worth a shot to give Frank some options as he looks to rescue his side’s Premier League season while also competing in Europe.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Arsenal
The other free agent deal to watch is a potential Arsenal reunion for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been training with the Gunners to keep his fitness up after leaving Besiktas at the start of the season.
Arteta refused to rule out the signing when asked on Monday in the wake of Merino’s injury, admitting that Arsenal would consider all options, At 32 years of age and two-and-a-half years removed from his last premier League appearance, it’s unclear whether Oxlade-Chamberlain can offer the Gunners anything more than depth and cover.
But if Arsenal want a failsafe option and a good voice in the dressing room, someone who knows what it takes to win a Premier League title, then Oxlade-Chamberlain may well be a worthwhile signing, especially for free.
Continue Reading