Arsenal are set to activate the £2.5million release clause of Malaga defender Vitorino Antunes, according to the Mirror.
With Monreal and Chambers viewed as central defensive options and Kieran Gibbs particularly injury prone, Antunes offers the team another option at left back.
Antunes is 27 and has eight caps for Portugal. The defender is believed to have a £2.5million release clause in his contract, which Arsenal are reportedly ready to trigger.
I don’t know much about the player, but WhoScored his strengths lie in his crossing. He is just 5ft 9 and aerial duels are listed as an area of weakness.
Gibbs’ frequent injuries have become a concern and since Vermaelen left, Monreal is the only other player who can comfortably play on the left side of defence.
Arsenal’s options in that position are so short that Francis Coquelin had to play there against Southampton. Antunes would be a bit of a nothing signing, he’s not going to sell many shirts (if any) but he could provide some experienced cover in defence. I’d personally like to sign another centre back who can play at left back – a bit like Thomas Vermaelen.