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Reliable journalist: Arsenal in talks to sign £17m Serie A star

By on July 8, 2021

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Arsenal are in talks with Bologna discussing a possible deal for centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu but we’ll face stiff competition from Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta is in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer and a centre-back is on the agenda as David Luiz has left the club following the expiration of his contract and it looks like William Saliba will be off on loan again.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Ben White but have so far been unable to agree terms with Brighton so it looks like the club may be looking into alternative targets as Di Marzio says we’re in talks for Tomiyasu.

The reliable Italian journalist was speaking to Sky Sports News when he made the claim, saying that both Arsenal and Tottenham are in talks with Bologna over a possible deal for the Japanese international.

Tomiyasu has been widely linked with a move to Tottenham with The Sun claiming Spurs have already agreed personal terms with the player and are prepared to increase their bid to £15.5m after seeing £12.9m rejected.

However, the newspaper says Tottenham are refusing to meet Bologna’s £17.2m asking price and this could have left the door open for Arsenal to try and hijack their proposed deal.

Tomiyasu has impressed since moving to Italy two years ago and Arteta could be eyeing him as a cheaper alternative to White. Although it would seem strange for Arsenal to walk away from that deal considering how close we are to agreeing a deal with Brighton.

Interestingly, Tomiyasu is also comfortable playing as a right-back so maybe Arsenal are looking at him as a replacement for Hector Bellerin? The Spaniard is tipped to leave Arsenal this summer and if he does then Arteta needs a new right-back.

Tomiyasu could be an interesting option and it would always be nice to snatch a player from under Tottenham’s nose. Let’s see how things go but the 22-year-old could be an solid signing if Arsenal do end up buying him this summer.