Arsenal handed Newcastle FFP blow as 'agreement' revealed with Alexander Isak impact

Arsenal transfer news as Newcastle set for surprise business that could put a dent in possible Mikel Arteta hopes

Arsenal will have to act quickly in the transfer market in order to not fall behind rivals as the January transfer window enters its final ten days. There has been a serious lack of action so far but things could yet ramp up.

With Premier League sides largely hesitant to do business due to the threat of punishments for breaking stringent financial rules there has been a general lull throughout the month. However, with all teams at a standstill, there is a way out.

Most clubs are need to sell before buying in order to comply with the profit and sustainability rules (PSRs) which have come back to bite Everton and Nottingham Forest this month. But with leagues across Europe way behind in terms of available cash there are very few options in terms of destinations to offload players.

It has left things unmoving to this stage but a catalyst could be about to spark that. As it was over the summer, the Saudi Pro League has entered the market and Newcastle are front and centre.

With the Magpies as on edge as anyone currently due to their mammoth spending, lack of noticeable sales, and threat of falling out of the Champions League, the attention on their wider squad has grown this window. Eddie Howe's men are unable to carry out any meaningful transfers despite being bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PiF).

Newcastle, like others, need to sell, and sell big, before adding to their squad. It has left clubs across England - and indeed Europe - monitoring their stars. After it was revealed by their chief executive, Darren Eales, that sales would be considered at least, though nobody wants to let their best players go.

READ MORE:Edu sends clear three-word Arsenal message amid January transfer window stance

READ MORE:Arsenal sent unwanted transfer warning by Man United for Thomas Partey replacement

"It’s difficult to say specifically on certain players, but I can say that if we’re going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players," he admitted. "Any decision we make will always be against the backdrop of the medium to long-term benefit for the club.

"Whether that is because of the contract length of the player in question, the offer is too good to refuse, you need to reload in certain areas, but all of this could make sense to trade that player. It is counter-intuitive and part of the inherent system of PSR that there is an incentive to trade your players if you want to re-invest."

Given Howe took over a struggling side, there aren't a host of rotation options that are attractive to many. It has left them vulnerable now to offers for their best players. Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes are among their most sellable assets - but are two of the most influential parts of the team - and have attracted understandable attention.

However, it is Miguel Almiron who could be on his way out this month. Despite being the third top-scorer in the squad at St James' Park he has reportedly agreed a deal in principle to join Al-Shabab.

The Paraguay international is said to be open to the move to the Middle East but the deal is not yet done. However, for Arsenal, it raises the prospect of Newcastle bringing in some cash that can not only be spent elsewhere but also be used to justify keeping their top players and key targets for other sides.

Arsenal themselves are likely to be moving on players in the coming months with Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson linked with a move away. Emile Smith Rowe is also one of the more sellable players in the squad but an enquiry for him was rejected earlier this week when West Ham came calling.

The Gunners have struggled to do big-money sales as well in the past few years and may well have to bite the bullet in the future to ensure that they can keep reinvesting. Newcastle are on that path and it may well thwart Arsenal, if the recruitment team at London Colney don't follow the lead then it could have bigger impacts yet to come.

Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp community

Sign up to our Arsenal WhatsApp community and get all the latest breaking news and in-depth stories from football.london's dedicated Arsenal writers direct to your phone.

By signing up to this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens.

To join our Arsenal community, all you have to do is click this link and you can join!