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Arsenal and Manchester City working on Belgium international as January deal could happen

Billy Meyers

Mon 16 December 2024 12:30, UK

• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Arsenal and Manchester City both need something to ignite their respective 2024/25 campaigns back into life.

In a season where many expected the Gunners and the Citizens to be heading the Premier League title race again, they are instead♔ third and fifth respectively as Liverpool and Chelsea occupy the top spots.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	15	11	3	1	31	13	18	36
2	ChelseaChelsea	16	10	4	2	37	19	18	34
3	ArsenalArsenal	16	8	6	2	29	15	14	30
4	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	16	8	4	4	21	19	2	28
5	Man CityManchester City	16	8	3	5	28	23	5	27

Arsenal have recorded consecutive draws with a 1-1 against Fulham before a 0-0 stalemate at home to Everton, and Mikel Arteta ꧒will be concerned by his side’s inability to score from open play in either of those games.

In regards to Manchester City, strange things are happening under Pep Guardiola as the Citizens embark on a bizarre run of five defeats in their last 🏅seven Premier Lea🦹gue outings.

Now – however – TBR Football understand both Arsenal and Manchester City are doing work on Maxim De Cuyper ahead 📖of a pౠotential January deal.

Arsenal and Manchester City monitor Maxim De Cuyper

Sources have informed TBR Football that both the Gunners and the Citizens are keepin⛎g a close eye on the Belgium international.

De Cuyper is enjoying a standout campaign with Club Brugge this season, scoring once while also provi🐷ding four assists in 24 appearances from left-back.

TBR Football understand Arsenal, who also like Vitor Reis, and Manchester City both sent scouts to watch the Belgian shine for Club Brugge in a 2-0 win over Genk on Sunday, in what was a very important si🅷x-pointer at the top of the Jupiler P♍ro League.

Arteta, who wants Roberto Olabe to replace Edu Gaspar as Sporting Director, and Guardiola could both enter the market for De Cuyper in the January tr♋ansfer window to bolster their options on the left flank amid difficult runs of form, although others are admirers of the 23-year-old as well.

TBR Football are aware that Chelsea, Tottenham and Nottingham Fo🔥rest have also scouted the Club Brugge No.55 this season.

Arsenal told Maxim De Cuyper would be “ideal” for corners

Interestingly, Hein Vanhaezebrouck – who was most recently manager of Gent – has already spoken about how De Cuyperℱ could help Arsenal, specifically mentioning that the Belgian’s immense crossing ability would suit the Gunners at corners.

The 60-yea💧r-old told : “De Cuyper has already improved defensively. Against Celtic he had won the most duels on the entire field… and of course he has his f♒antastic kicking technique.

“His crosses are becomi𝔍ng more and more l🐈ike how Frank Vercauteren whipped balls in front of goal. His corners are phenomenal. Arsenal has a patent on corners at the far post. If Arsenal are looking for a left-back who can deliver the ball hard, then De Cuyper is the ideal person.”