Getafe striker Borja Mayoral, who has scored 12 goals in 19 LaLiga outings this season, may be a realistic target for Arsenal [Guillermo Martinez/SPP]

NERVY Arsenal fans won’t need reminding that transfer deadline day is closing in fast, and yet so far there’s been more coverage of Mikel Arteta being fed steak by Salt Bae in Dubai then any potential new signings.

The only slight “addition” the club has made is recalling Marquinhos from his loan spell at Ligue 1 side Nantes. But even that’s not going to give Arteta more attacking options in the coming weeks as the winger has already joined up with the Brazil Under-23s squad for the 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in Venezuela.

The Gunners are rumoured to be working on a couple of deals – but both are departures that would at least bring their wage bill down.

Cedric Soares has emerged as a serious target for Beşiktaş. The full-back is out of contract in the summer and the Gunners are thought to be keen on thrashing out a deal with the Turkish giants this month before Soares leaves on a free.

There might even be a BOGOF (buy one get one free) in the offing with Beşiktaş also said to be interested in signing Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian international, who, like Soares, only has six months left on his contract, is also being targeted by a number of Saudi clubs.

It’s no secret that Arsenal are finding themselves short on goals. But January is a notoriously tough month to do deals, especially when it comes to strikers.

Among the more financially realistic targets reported to be on Arteta’s wish list is Getafe goal-getter Borja Mayoral. The forward has been in formidable form this term, scoring 12 goals in 19 LaLiga outings so far. In fact, only Real Madrid’s England superstar Jude Bellingham has hit the back of the net more times than Mayoral in the league this season.

Admitting that he was “surprised” by the interest from England, Mayoral told media outlet Mediaset: “It’s news that has surprised me too. I haven’t spoken to the club or my agent. I’m very focused on Getafe on a day-to-day basis.”

There’s no reason for Gooners to get too excited just yet, however, with Getafe issuing a hands-off warning to any clubs pursuing the 26-year-old.

If the rumour mill is to be believed it’s certainly a deal laced with complications, with Arsenal said to be ready to trigger the sought-after striker’s £22m release clause providing they can complete the player sales needed to stay within Financial Fair Play regulations.

For now, Arteta’s only focus will be on Arsenal’s return to Premier League action this Saturday when Crystal Palace visit the Emirates for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Before jetting out to Dubai with his players for some warm-weather training the Gunners boss urged fans to stick with the squad.

He said: “What I beg the supporters is that they are behind the team, like they’ve done in difficult moments. Stick with the ones [players] we have – they are incredibly good.

“Stick with them, it’s exactly what they need, that we are fully behind them. Then they feel important, and supported because they deserve it – with their attitude they don’t deserve anything different. That’s my opinion.”