Arsenal Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of January 12

We're approaching the halfway point of the January transfer window, and Arsenal are still to make a signing.

The sense of urgency has been increased by the injury to Mathieu Debuchy. The Frenchman was withdrawn from Sunday's match against Stoke City with a dislocated shoulder, per Sky Sports.

With Arsenal already short of experienced defenders, reinforcing the back line has become even more important. A defensive midfielder is also a priority, as captain Mikel Arteta remains sidelined.

Keep an eye on this piece over the coming week for the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours.

Last updated: Thursday, January 15

Benik Afobe Joins Wolves

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Thursday, January 15

Young striker Benik Afobe has cut shorn his loan spell with MK Dons to sign for Wolves.

Although Arsenal fans will be disappointed to see an academy prospect leave, Afobe had little chance of making a breakthrough to the first-team. The club have done well to receive a fee for a player who has been dogged by injury problems in recent seasons.

Yaya Sanogo Completes Crystal Palace Move

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Tuesday, January 13

Another striker has left Arsenal on loan.

After Lukas Podolski completed a temporary move to Inter Milan, Yaya Sanogo has followed suit by joining Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season, according to the BBC.

The difference here is that Sanogo is likely to return from Palace. This move is intended to give him the first-team football he requires to accelerate his development.

Arsenal Fly out to Complete Krystian Bielik Deal

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Tuesday, January 13

Amid reports that Arsenal have sent a representative out to Poland to complete a deal for teenage midfielder Krystian Bielik, Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent has confirmed that the Gunners are confident of beating Hamburg to sign the powerful Pole.

At 17, Bielik is unlikely to come straight into first-team contention at Arsenal. However, Arsene Wenger clearly feels this is a worthwhile investment for the future. 

Real Madrid Pull out of Lucas Silva Chase

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Monday, January 12

Arsenal's have received some good news in their pursuit of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva. According to Spanish paper Marca (h/t the Daily Mirror), Real Madrid have ended their interest in the young holding player, making Arsenal favourites to land him.

Although Silva is only 21, he is a two-time Brazilian champion and a huge prospect. Arsene Wenger typically prefers to sign players with good potential and residual value, so Silva could fit the bill. 

Moussa Sissoko States Dream of Playing for Arsenal

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Monday, January 12

Moussa Sissoko has admitted that he would love to play for Arsenal.

In an interview with Telefoot (h/t The Telegraph), Sissoko made it clear his ambitions lie in the Champions League, with Arsenal his priority:

"

The transfer market is open, so things can happen any day, but I am focused on Newcastle. If anything should happen, it will. I hope I’ll leave for a bigger club one day, but I don’t know when.

England is my priority. If [Arsene] Wenger calls, I’ll have a man-to-man discussion with him and then we’ll see. Arsenal has always been the club of my heart.

I hope I’ll improve to win the Champions League one day. I don’t want to set limits to myself. I want to go higher. That’s my goal.

"

It remains to be seen whether Wenger will grant Sissoko his wish of following Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United to Arsenal.