West Ham eye January move for Arsenal star

WEST HAM are lining up a January move for Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta, according to reports.

 

Mikel Arteta could be set for a January exit from Arsenal

 

The 33-year-old midfielder has had an injury-hit season which has seen him make just seven Premier League appearances for the Gunners so far this term. 

Arteta's contract is due to expire in June and this will allow the Spaniard to leave the Emirates on a free transfer at the end of the season. 

 

And according to Spanish website Fichajes, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic wants to bolster his ranks with an experienced Premier League veteran and is eyeing Arteta as the man to fit that billing. 

However, West Ham do not want to wait until the summer and will instead try their luck to sign Arteta in January as they look to push for European qualification ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium.

 

Arteta's future at the Emirates looks bleak with Francis Coquelin being the preferred defensive midfield option and with the imminent arrival of Mohamed Elneny it seems as if a move away from the Gunners would be the best option for the former Everton man. 

Arteta has made 282 Premier League appearances and has scored 41 goals since arriving in England in 2005. 

West Ham currently sit sixth in the table, four points behind their rivals Tottenham in fourth.