Mikel Arteta eyes £51m Fulham star as Arsenal transfer plans take shape ahead of January
Arsenal are reportedly keeping a close eye on Fulham youngster Josh King, with Mikel Arteta said to be convinced that the highly rated midfielder has the qualities required to make an impact at the Emirates Stadium.
With the January transfer window gradually coming into view, the Gunners are already being linked with potential additions to their squad. Arsenal were particularly active during the summer window, bringing in four players as Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta looked to strengthen several key areas of the team.
The club reportedly added Bruno Guimaraes to reinforce midfield, Ezri Konsa to provide greater defensive depth, Christos Tzolis to add another attacking option and Illan Meslier to strengthen the goalkeeping department.
However, Arsenal’s summer recruitment plans were not limited to those four additions. The club was also linked with a number of high-profile attacking targets, including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, as Arteta explored possibilities for adding more firepower and creativity to his squad.
Now, attention has reportedly turned towards another promising young player.
According to reports from Swiss outlet 4-4-2.ch, Arsenal have entered the race for Fulham’s Josh King. However, the Gunners are not alone in their interest, with Premier League rivals Liverpool and German giants Borussia Dortmund also said to be monitoring the teenager’s situation.
Arteta is reportedly a big admirer of King’s ability and believes the youngster possesses the technical and tactical qualities necessary to develop into a successful Arsenal player. Whether that admiration ultimately results in a formal offer, however, remains uncertain at this stage.
Fulham are believed to have placed a substantial valuation on their young star. Reports suggest that King could command a fee of approximately €60 million, which translates to around £51 million.
That price tag could make any potential January deal particularly difficult, especially considering Fulham’s reported stance on the player’s future. The London club are not currently expected to approve King’s departure during the January window, with next summer viewed as a much more realistic opportunity for a transfer.
The 19-year-old still has plenty of time remaining on his current Fulham contract, which is understood to run until the summer of 2029. There has also been no indication that a new contract extension is imminent, potentially leaving the door open for increased transfer speculation as interest from major European clubs continues to grow.
Arsenal’s reported interest in King also comes at an intriguing moment because questions are beginning to emerge over the future of another attacking player at the Emirates.
Noni Madueke has recently been linked with a possible departure from Arsenal despite only joining the club during the summer from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth £48.5 million.
The England international’s first few months in north London have reportedly been less productive than expected, with Madueke yet to start a Premier League match for the Gunners. His situation has now prompted speculation that he could potentially leave the club, with reports suggesting that interest is emerging from several clubs across Europe.
Atletico Madrid and Juventus have both been mentioned as potential destinations for Madueke, raising the possibility that Arsenal could be forced to consider another attacking reshuffle sooner than expected.
If Madueke’s situation develops into a full transfer exit, Arsenal could potentially look towards the market for a replacement or another attacking option. That could make King’s name particularly interesting, although there is currently no confirmation that the Fulham youngster is being considered specifically as Madueke’s replacement.
For now, Arsenal’s interest appears to be at the monitoring stage, while Fulham are under no immediate pressure to sell a player who remains tied to the club for several more seasons.
King’s age, potential and reported £51 million valuation could make him one of the more intriguing names to watch when the summer transfer window arrives. With Arsenal, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund reportedly keeping tabs on him, competition for his signature could become intense if Fulham eventually decide that the time is right to cash in.
For Arteta, the priority will be ensuring that any potential signing fits into Arsenal’s long-term plans. If the manager’s reported belief in King’s ability is genuine, the Fulham star could become a serious transfer target for the Gunners in the months ahead.
For now, though, Arsenal supporters may have to wait until next summer before discovering whether the club will make a serious attempt to bring the highly rated 19-year-old to the Emirates.