Thursday, March 28, 2024

Report: Arsenal eye title-winning right back who could cost just £13million

Arsenal are in the market for a new right back this summer. 

Despite the club currently having four right backs on their books, the future of many of them remains uncertain. Hector Bellerin looks set to end his long spell at the club this summer. Cedric Soares has slipped down the pecking order under Arteta. Maitland-Niles didn’t pull up trees out on loan at West Brom and Calum Chambers has become first choice, but question marks remain over his overall ability to be the clubs first choice right back. 

Norwich’s Max Aarons has been widely considered as an option for Arsenal, but the Gunners could be eyeing a title winning right back as an alternative. 

Arsenal are said to be interested in Lille right-back Zeki Celik. 

24-year-old Celik has two years remaining on his contract at Lille, and could be available for £13million, according to The Standard

Celik has chemistry with both Gabriel Magalhaes and Nicolas Pepe, both of whom Arsenal purchased from this seasons Ligue 1 Champions. 

Arsenal will hope that their good working relationship with Lille and also the fact that the player will have familiarities with some teammates, will help give them the advantage over Manchester United and Tottenham, who are both also interested according to The Standard’s report. 

Take a look at Celik in action below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP74pUMi-E

Celik is a well-rounded full-back and aged 24 has his best years ahead of him. He’d be, in my opinion, a shrewd investment at such a low fee. I think if Arsenal managed to sell Bellerin, Cedric and Maitland-Niles and could bring in Celik to compete with Chambers for the right-back slot, that would give the club two really nice options in this position. 

Celik is set to compete at Euro 2020 (2021) this summer and Arsenal will be keen to tie up a deal before he catches any more suitors with his performances in the competition.

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