Arsenal told to pay £18m for defensive ‘upgrade’; Barcelona duo make Arteta’s transfer ‘shortlist’
Arsenal have reportedly been told that they will have to pay £18m to sign Croatia international Josip Sutalo from Dinamo Zagreb this summer.
The Premier League club’s lack of depth has been exposed in recent weeks. Their first-choice players have been superb this season but some of their backup options are not good enough.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been sensational for the Gunners this season, but with the France international out injured, Rob Holding has played of late.
The Englishman was heavily criticised after he was exposed by Erling Haaland in the 4-1 loss to Man City and he was replaced by Jakub Kiwior earlier this week as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1.
“I think [Arteta] has been a bit unfair on Rob Holding,” Wright said on Premier League Productions. “He is somebody who hasn’t had a lot of minutes.”
Holding may leave Arsenal this summer as they will be looking to sign a new centre-back. The Evening Standard are reporting that they ‘are tracking Croatia defender Josip Sutalo’.
‘The Gunners want to upgrade their backline for next season’ and they are also ‘keeping tabs’ on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. The report adds.
‘Sutalo has caught the eye of a number of clubs around Europe with his performances for Dinamo Zagreb and is expected to be on the move
‘Standard Sport understand Dinamo are likely to demand around £18million for Sutalo and, while no formals talks have taken place, Arsenal are scouting him as they weigh up their defensive options.
‘Palace are likely to demand a significant fee for Guehi, given he is an England international and has three years left on his contract at Selhurst Park.’
A separate report from 90min claims Arsenal ‘will look to sign a right-sided winger this summer ahead of their return to the Champions League’.
Arsenal are understood to be ‘targeting a right winger, centre-back, central midfielder and perhaps a centre forward in the summer.’ Their ‘shortlist of wingers includes Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres’. The report goes on to explain.
‘Other wingers on Arsenal’s transfer radar include Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby, who has been a long-term target for Newcastle United and has always eyed a move to the Premier League.
‘However, with PSG set to lose Lionel Messi and potentially Neymar, his hometown club are hugely interested in a reunion.
‘Out-of-contract Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is still admired by Arsenal and contact has been made regarding a potential move, though he is only a backup option at this stage.
‘Nevertheless, the Gunners are doing their due diligence on the Ivorian and know he is someone who could easily slot in straight away.’
