Arsenal look close to signing a new player this week as they are willing to up their bid for a defender – the latest reports indicate.
The name won’t excite many though, it is once again that of Bolton defender Rob Holding. After his side were relegated to League One, it was clear that Holding, 21, would not stay at the club. The central defender was named the clubs Player of the Year and he has since attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
Arsenal look to be leading the race, although they have already had a bid knocked back, The Sun report that Arsene Wenger will approve a second, improved £2.5million bid next week. That amount could be enough, the paper think, although Bolton were hoping for an amount closer to £5million.
If Holding did join the club he would almost certainly be loaned out immediately, with the Gunners also looking to sign a first team central defender. Holding is also capable of playing as a full back.
Two weeks ago we wrote about 3 players that could possibly join Arsenal in July, and Rob Holding was one of them.
Much like the signing of Asano this isn’t the mega star that we’re looking for but it does seem to be the likeliest to get completed within the next couple of weeks. For the minuscule fee mentioned, he is worth the risk. If he impresses on loan then he could have a part to play in the future when the likes of Laurent Koscielny (31 in Sep) and Per Mertesacker (32 in Sep) call it a day.
Holding is likely to be loaned out immediately this season, although he could play a part in Arsenal’s pre-season.
The Gunners have also been linked with two more young defenders this evening. Matthias Ginter and Jason Denayer. With Calum Chambers and now Rob Holding at the club, it’s hard to see either of those now joining – although the Gunners remain in the hunt for a first team addition to the defence.