League One side Portsmouth have reportedly agreed a deal to sign versatile Arsenal defender, Zak Swanson, on a permanent transfer.
According to an article from Football Insider, a source has told the news outlet that Portsmouth have negotiated a deal with Arsenal for the 21-year-old.
It’s believed Arsenal are willing to let Swanson pack his bags for the South coast after failing to register a single senior appearance for the club in recent seasons.
A loan move to MVV Maastricht in 2020 failed to kickstart his career as he made just three appearances for the Dutch side, who used him primarily as a defender.
Since then Swanson has been in regular training with the Arsenal first team and even managed to be named on Mikel Arteta’s bench for the final 15 Premier League games of the 2021/22 campaign.
Known for his versatility to play as a go-getting full-back or across the defensive midfield line, Swanson is a player that is now ready to test himself in the EFL.
And it looks as if Portsmouth are certainly leading the race for his signature, with first-team right back Mahlon Romeo having recently departed for Cardiff City.
It’s believed manager Danny Cowley wants an immediate replacement and Swanson fits the bill in both a tactical and financial sense as Pompey aim to get closer to the League One play-offs.
At this moment Arsenal have Hector Bellerin, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares as recognised right-backs, meaning the chances of Swanson getting game time are limited.
Swanson has already been taking part in pre-season with the Arsenal first team this week and if he is set for Portsmouth will likely be exempt from the pre-season trip to Germany.