Arsenal transfer news: Juan Mata, Christopher Nkunku, Carl Jenkinson, Aissa Mandi

Emery eyes Mata

Arsenal host Manchester United in the FA Cup tonight, and the fourth-round clash may offer Unai Emery the chance to sound out Juan Mata about a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Daily Express says that the Arsenal gaffer “wants to land” the Spanish midfielde and resurrect a partnership that flourished when the pair worked together at La Liga side Valencia.

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According to the newspaper, Emery continues to hold a light for the 30-year-old playmaker, and is well aware of United’s policy of not offering players in that age bracket contract extensions of more than 12 months.

Mata is said to want a more substantial deal than United are prepared to offer. The side are set to have a “purge” on the more mature members of their squad, says the Express - leaving the Gunners “confident of securing a deal”.

Tonight’s FA Cup clash at the Emirates Stadium kicks off at 7.55pm.

Plan B

The Daily Mail reports that if the Mata bid fails to materialise, Emery might turn his attention to another player from his past, Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Christopher Nkunku. It would be a loan deal, with an option to buy the 21-year-old in July, the newspaper adds.

U-turn

Carl Jenkinson won’t be farmed out this month, reports the Daily Mirror, which claims that Arsenal’s injury crisis has prompted a rethink from Emery.

With Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding both out with long-term injuries, Spaniard Emery has decided he won’t listen to offers for the 26-year-old right-back, who was bought from Charlton Athletic in 2011.

Jenkinson has reportedly been “a loan target for Burnley, Ipswich and West Brom”, but Emery has handed him a “lifeline” by including the player in his first-team plans.

The Mirror says Emery has been impressed by Jenkinson’s attitude and could even look to offer him a new deal in the summer if he impresses.

Handy Mandi

Despite Emery’s decision on Jenkinson, the Mirror says that he still intends to strengthen his back four this month, with a move for Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi on the cards.

Highly rated in La Liga, the 27-year-old Algeria international has been with the Spanish club since 2016. In that time he’s impressed as a no-nonsense centre-half.

Now, Spanish newspaper El Desmarque is claiming that Arsenal are trying to negotiate a loan deal before tabling a £26m bid this summer.