Transfer Centre

Thomas Tuchel: 'No January move for Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 14 January 2017

Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel suggests that he has no plans to make a move for Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem in the January transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel has played down suggestions that he is looking to strengthen his team during the January transfer window.

Dortmund currently sit in sixth place in the Bundesliga and 12 points off top spot, and it had been suggested that Tuchel would look to make changes to his squad this month.

However, the Dortmund coach has said that he does not want to add any new faces, including Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem who had been linked with a move to Germany.

The 43-year-old told ESPN: "I don't think that we add somebody [in January]. We had a lot of new players and it all takes time [to settle]. Even the German guys, who have a lot of experience, you have to admit that it took its time for them [to settle]. Every change in a club takes time.

"Right now, the group is growing together. We had to change a lot because we had too many injuries. We wish for more players to be healthy, more players on the pitch who can play week after week, they need those minutes. Right now, we don't want to add somebody. [Zelalem?] Right now? No. Not as far as I'm concerned."

Zelalem has been restricted to just 17 minutes of EFL Cup action with the Gunners this season.