Arsenal transfer news: Balogun 'ready for new challenge', £45m Sterling boost

Emile Smith Rowe's second-half strike extended Arsenal's unbeaten run to ten games in all competitions as they beat Watford 1-0 and moved into fifth position in the Premier League table.

The Gunners have bounced back from losing their opening three games following the arrival of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

But who is next on Mikel Arteta's wish-list as he looks to guide Arsenal back to European football? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

Folarin Balogun

Arsenal starlet and reported Liverpool target Folarin Balogun has cast doubt on his future

Jurgen Klopp's side were linked with a move for the 20-year-old forward in the summer and now he has said he is keen for a fresh challenge.

"I feel like I am ready for a new challenge," Balogun said.

"I feel like I have played youth football for a while. I have scored goals at that level and improved at that level drastically compared to now. At the same time I am not sure what that challenge might be.

"It might be a loan, or if I am needed at Arsenal I am here - and the gaffer knows that as well.

"I feel like I am definitely open to a new challenge, wherever it is I will be ready.

"As a striker and as a young player you need minutes. It is the best way to learn and get consistency."

Raheem Sterling

Arsenal have reportedly been given a boost in their pursuit of Man City star Raheem Sterling.

The Daily Express claim Barcelona's scouts have been instructed to stop their preparations for the January transfer window and won't move for long-term target Sterling.

That has apparently played into Arsenal's hands as they look to snap up Sterling.

The England star is valued at around £45million and is interested in securing a new challenge after falling down the pecking order at City.

Matteo Guendouzi

Matteo Guendouzi does not want to return to Arsenal at the end of his loan spell with Marseille.

Speaking to French outlet RMC Sport, he said: "Today, I am on loan and still bound by my contract at Arsenal. But I'm totally focused on what to do with Marseille.

"And yes, it's a club with which I want to project myself into the future and I want to join in the long term.

"These are discussions that I had already had with the club before signing and I feel very comfortable there. And that's why I want to continue to have fun at Marseille."

Eddie Nketiah

Borussia Monchengladbach are reportedly eyeing a January move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

Nketiah has had to settle for a bit-part role this season having made just two appearances and The Sun claim he now wants to leave for the good of his career.

The 22-year-old's contract runs out at the end of the season and Arsenal want the England Under-21 international to sign a new deal.

But Nketiah wants to move on for regular game time.

And The Sun claim German club Gladbach want to offer him that and will be free to talk to the player in January.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

The versatile England star is keen on staying in north London just two months after his failed loan to Everton in the final days of the summer window.

Asked about his happiness compared to the summer, Maitland-Niles told the Mail: "That's all in the past now.

"I am just thinking about the future and what's ahead of me. It was great to be out there, getting my minutes, and hopefully there is more to come."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Arsene Wenger and David Dein have revealed how close Arsenal came to signing Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when the pair were youngsters.

"Messi we were interested in, but it was not possible," said Wenger, speaking at an event for the Twinning Project on Monday.

"They (Barcelona) had Fabregas, Messi and [Gerard] Pique in the same generation. We tried to get [them]. Messi was not possible, Barcelona extended it (his contract). Fabregas wanted to leave, Pique as well.

"Pique landed at Manchester United and Cesc joined us. I refuse to go into that game, because if I go into my room and write on the wall all the players I miss out on, I don't finish well my life."

On Ronaldo, Dein added: "We are now turning the clock back when Cristiano was 17 and playing in the Portuguese Under-19 team.

"He was spotted by our chief scout. Arsene said: 'Look, do you want to go over and see him play?' I said: 'Yeah sure, I'll go across'.

"I went with our chief scout and I remember seeing the Portuguese Under-19 team play and Cristiano did really well.

"Then the agent, who was with us at the time, said: 'Well, believe it or not he is going to meet us for dinner afterwards'.

"We had a dinner at a sort of a curb-side restaurant. He was a really nice guy and he actually gave me his shirt. It's one of several shirts that I've got hanging in my cupboard at home. He gave me his shirt that he played in.

"We discussed a little bit of money and the agent said: 'Well, let him think about it overnight'. Then Cristiano said: 'I've got to go now, my bus is going'.

"He jumped on his bus and he went home. The following day I was discussing with the agent and about six hours later Manchester United blew us out of the water.

"That was the Cristiano Ronaldo story. I think we were being used a little bit as a stalking house, because I think he was always going to go to Manchester United at the time."

Dusan Vlahovic

The Fiorentina striker is likely to turn down a move to Arsenal in January, according to Italian outlet Football Italia.

The report adds that the 21-year-old Serbian is waiting for other offers so will join Manuel Locatelli and Joaquin Correa in snubbing the Gunners.

Arteta's side were said to have reached a principle of agreement with Fiorentina over an £68.5m move in the winter window.

The latest report from La Nazione claim that Spurs have joined Arsenal as front-runners to sign him ahead of a number of other European clubs.