We simulated Arsenal’s January transfer deadline day to see if the Gunners could make any last-minute changes to their squad
If Arsenal want to make any signings to help with their Premier League and Champions League battles, today is the final chance, and according to Football Manager 2024, the Gunners could dip into the transfer market.
Compared to the 2023 January transfer window that saw over £800 million spent in the Premier League, the 2024 window has been extremely boring on the transfer front. Deep in the title battle, Arsenal brought in the likes of Jorginho, Leandro Trossard, and Jakub Kiko last year to reinforce their squad, but so far this year, not one player has come through the door.
Arsenal were linked with a host of names throughout January, with attacking names appearing the most after murmurs of more clinical forwards being needed at the Emirates Stadium. So, how does Football Manager 2024 think Mikel Arteta’s side should act on transfer deadline day?
To set up this simulation, we used Football Manager 2024 to simulate transfer deadline day at Arsenal, seeing if the game thinks the Gunners need to dip into the market for any reinforcements. This is what happened.
Johan Bakayoko (PSV): £39.5m
Arsenal used the transfer deadline day to make a big signing, bringing in highly-rated winger Johan Bakayoko to the club from PSV. Arteta will know all about the young forward, having faced him and PSV twice in the Champions League this season, and FM24 predicts the winger did enough to impress the Spaniard enough to make a move for him.
It was a great coup for the Gunners, but a part of the deal meant that Arsenal fans wouldn’t see the 20-year-old in action for the last few months of the season.
To acquire the services of Bakayoko, Arsenal could only work out a deal that would see the Belgian head back to PSV for the rest of the season. Four more players left the club on deadline day, all on short-term loans.
Emile Smith Rowe was sent on loan to Brentford for the rest of the season, with the Bees having an option to buy for £42.7 million. Youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Reuell Walters made their way to League One for the remainder of the campaign, while Cedric signed on a six-month loan at Espanyol in Spain.
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