Well well well. Arsenal’s transfer season is certainly gearing up. The Gunners look set to announce the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes and there seem to be plenty of players going the other way, out the exit door.
Arsenal are having a major reshuffle in defence, and probably will in midfield soon too. We told you yesterday that Ainsley Maitland-Niles was set to join Wolves.
The versatile 22-year-old had been linked heavily with moves away for the last couple of months and it now seems that Wolves have won the race to secure his signing, according to Sky Sports.
Since then, reports in France have suggested Arsenal have offered Hector Bellerin to PSG, as the Ligue 1 Champions search for a new right back.
Arsenal have offered Hector Bellerin to PSG. (@RMCinfo via @GFFN) pic.twitter.com/wpdEE3vpN7
— Fresh Arsenal (@Fresh_Arsenal) August 24, 2020
That would leave Arsenal with Cedric Soares and youngster Jordi Osei-Tutu as right back options. Just as we thought Osei-Tutu might get a first team look in, this morning reports suggest he will go on loan to Cardiff. This is a sensible move from Arsenal, in a bid to increase his first team exposure, to either one day play for Arsenal, or to increase his value to other potential suitors.
So, if Bellerin, Niles and Osei-Tutu do all complete moves, it would leave Arsenal with just Cedric – and that would surely mean the Gunners would be in for a new right back.
Aside from Cedric, Chambers (currently injured) could act as cover on the right, as can Sokratis and Mustafi – but none of these are options we would want to rely on going into a season. Bellerin and Niles both did well in spells last season, but equally struggled in others. It’s possible Arsenal want to sell both, and use their combined fees to go and bring in a player more suited to Arteta’s mould.
Max Aarons, from relegated Norwich, could be a realistic signing at around £22million. The 20-year-old right back is not the finished article but certainly has huge potential.