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Fabrizio Romano: Player to undergo medical with Arsenal after £22m deal is agreed
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have agreed a deal with Bologna worth around £22m to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu with the defender set to undergo a medical in Italy this afternoon.
Right-back has been a problem area for Arsenal for some time and it looks like Mikel Arteta is looking to resolve the issue on deadline day. Hector Bellerin is reportedly on his way to Real Betis which will free up a space for a new defender to arrive.
Tomiyasu has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer and The Athletic broke news this morning that Arsenal were in talks with Bologna to sign the Japan international.
Things seem to be moving quickly as Fabrizio Romano says a deal has now been agreed between the two clubs with Arsenal set to pay £19.7m [€23m] up front with a further £2.6m [€3m] in add-ons meaning the entire deal is worth just over £22m.
The Guardian journalist claims that Tomiyasu has already agreed personal terms and will now undergo his medical this afternoon before an official announcement will be made by the club.
Takehiro Tomiyasu to Arsenal, agreement reached and here we go! Personal terms agreed and Bologna will receive €20m plus €3m add ons. ⚪️🔴🇯🇵 #AFC #DeadlineDay
Medical during the afternoon and then official announcement. Here-we-go.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2021
Tomiyasu has played at centre-back for much of his time at Bologna but he’s also comfortable playing at right-back so no doubt his versatility was seen as a useful asset by Arteta and his team.
Given our issues at right-back, I expect Arteta to use Tomiyasu in that position if we get this deal over the line and the 22-year-old appears to be an upgrade on Calum Chambers as they have similar profiles.
Tomiyasu is 6ft 1inch and is more of a physical, defensive defender who’ll slot in to a back three when Kieran Tierney bombs forward down the left flank so he should hopefully give us more balance and defensive solidity.
Let’s see how things develop but it looks like this deal is close and Tomiyasu should complete a move to Arsenal before the window shuts at 11pm.
The only issue might be if Bellerin’s proposed move to Betis falls through. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Ainsley Maitland-Niles leave after yesterday’s public outburst.