With Arsenal’s defence a national laughing stock, the Gunners are intent on bringing in some back four reinforcements next month and top of the list is Juventus stopper Merih Demiral.
According to the Daily Mirror, Arsenal will “offer Hector Bellerin” as part of any deal with the Spanish right back now considered surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
Injury-plagued
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Bellerin has been bedevilled by injuries in recent seasons and he hasn’t kicked on the way it was once hoped in north London.
The Mirror, citing Italian outlet Calciomercato, says that Bellerin believes it would be in everyone’s best interest if he sought out fresh pastures.
“He likes Italy, the interest of an Italian club has been there but I can’t reveal it,” said Bellerin’s agent, Albert Botines. “He has a long contract and it won’t be easy to take him away from Arsenal.”
Turkish delight
But it might be easier than imagined if Juventus agree to a deal involving Demiral. The 21-year-old Turkish international has slipped down the pecking order in Turin this season behind Leonardo Bonucci and new arrival Matthijs de Ligt.
Apparently he is desperate for regular game time ahead of the 2020 European Championships and the prospect of playing in the Premier League is an attractive one.
The Mirror says the Italian champions “would want around £34m for Demiral - but Arsenal will aim to ease the financial burden by offering right-back Bellerin”.
Rugani is Plan B
The Mirror also claims that if Juventus refuse to allow Demiral to leave next month then Arsenal could look to swap Bellerin for Daniel Rugani. Ex-gaffer Unai Emery was said to be keen on the 25-year-old last summer, but he was deterred by Juve’s £30m asking price.
However, according to Italian outlet Il Bianconero, Rugani is unsettled this season under new coach Maurizio Sarri and is weighing up his options with the Premier League one of them.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine.Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Southampton vs. Norwich City (7.30pm, live on Amazon Prime Video)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Ham United (7.30pm, live on Amazon Prime Video)
Liverpool vs. Everton (8.15pm, live on Amazon Prime Video)
Thursday 5 December fixtures
Sheffield United vs. Newcastle United (7.30pm, live on Amazon Prime Video)
Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (8.15pm, live on Amazon Prime Video)
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine.Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
register for free
Already have an account? Sign in
Subscribe to The Week
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Subscribe & Save
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Unlimited website access is included with Digital and Print + Digital subscriptions. Create an accountwith the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
Pros and cons of VAR in football
