January is approaching and Arsenal look likely to be in the market for defensive reinforcements following a terrible start to the season in that department.
According to CalcioMercato Arsenal could be willing to offer Hector Bellerin in a swap deal to sign Juventus defender Merih Demiral.
Demiral is just 21-year-old and with William Saliba, still a teenager, arriving in the summer – some Arsenal fans may suggest the club need some experience in defence. But the experience of David Luiz and Sokratis has done little to help the Gunners. A
So now the club look set to invest in younger promising players and despite his age, Demiral stands extremely physically strong, 6ft 3’ tall. His opportunities at Juventus this season have been restricted, due to the clubs elite defenders. But Demiral has looked very promising in his countries Euro 2020 qualification campaign, alongside Soyuncu who is performing extremely well for Leicester City currently.
Whether or not Arsenal would use Bellerin in any deal remains to be seen, but Juventus would certainly be interested in the 24-year-old Spaniard, as they need a new right back. The problem for Arsenal is that they probably already need a new back up right back and if Bellerin were to leave, they would need two, in an ideal world. Both Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have been unconvincing when trying to deputise for Hector.
Bellerin has been coming back from a long term injury but so far he has struggled to impress at Arsenal this season and the club may be willing to use him in a deal due to his value. Just 24 and with so much experience, Bellerin will hold some weight in the market and would probably be higher up the pecking order at Juventus than Demiral is.
But a straight swap deal may simply be one step forward and two steps back for the Gunners as they would need to then address their lack of a right back.