“There is real interest from Arsenal” – Agent confirms talks over deal for £17m star

The January transfer window is coming to a close so managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Christopher Nkunku’s agent confirms interest from Arsenal…

Christopher Nkunku’s agent has confirmed Arsenal are in talks to try and sign the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder but admits a deal this month looks unlikely, according to quotes by Football London.

Unai Emery is looking to strengthen his squad before the window shuts on Thursday night and we’re on the verge of signing attacking midfielder Denis Suarez from Barcelona on an initial loan deal.

However, the Arsenal boss still has plenty of work to do as he continues to rebuild the squad he inherited from Arsene Wenger and Nkunku has emerged as another transfer target for the Spanish coach.

L’Equipe reported late last week that Arsenal were in talks with PSG about signing the 21-year-old on loan with a view to making it a permanent switch for around £17m at the end of the season.

Nkunku’s agent, Jose Pierre Fanfan, has now confirmed Arsenal’s interest in signing the midfielder but concedes negotiations are ‘complicated’ as Arsenal are unable to agree a permanent transfer this month.

Fanfan says talks are continuing but admits time is running out for a deal to be agreed before Thursday night’s deadline so they may have to wait until June to resolve his clients future.

The agent is quoted by Football London as saying on French TV show Canal+:

“I am here (in the studio) tonight, which is not a good sign. There is a real interest from Arsenal for Nkunku but the discussions are quite complicated. There are restrictions from Arsenal’s side, they cannot do a transfer in the middle of the season.

“It is still being discussed with PSG, things could still happen in the next 48 hours, but as I said, the fact that I am here means that it does not look good.”

“His situation will be evaluated in June, then he will have just one year left on his contract, and his situation will need to be evaluated,”

“He is a young boy, who needs to play, enjoy himself, and to sign up for a project for the long term, that is what he is looking for, and he was in that phase with Arsenal but it looks complicated. If we have to wait, then he is ready to do that, he will wait.”

Emery knows Nkunku well from their time together in Paris and it seems the Arsenal boss is keen for a reunion in north London but it remains to be seen whether we can get a deal agreed over the next two days.

PSG have recently agreed to sign midfielder Leandro Paredes and are reportedly in talks for Idrissa Gueye so if they can also get a deal sorted for the Everton star then that may pave the way for Nkunku to join Arsenal.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news

The French U21 international is predominantly a box-to-box midfielder but he can also play on the wings so his versatility would be useful if he does end up joining Arsenal either this month or in the summer.