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Arsenal open talks over deal to sign 23-year-old, club ready to sell

By on June 18, 2019

According to TeamTalk, Arsenal have made contact with Southampton to discuss the possible signing of Matt Targett as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his options in defence this summer.

The boss needs to make significant changes to the squad before the start of the new season after we finished fifth last year and defence is a particular area of concern as we shipped a whopping 51 goals in our 38 Premier League games.

Like most fans, I feel a commanding centre-back is the priority as we need an upgrade for Shkodran Mustafi while back-up for Hector Bellerin is needed and we’re being linked with a number of names in the media.

It looks like Emery is also in the market for a new left-back as TeamTalk claim Arsenal are among a whole host of Premier League clubs who’ve held talks with Southampton about signing Matt Target this summer.

The report says the Saints are ready to do business for the 23-year-old if a suitable offer arrives but we’ll face plenty of competition as Liverpool, Newcastle, Leicester, Aston Villa and Fulham have also expressed their interest.

Targett came through the youth system at St Mary’s and made 21 appearances in all competitions last season but he’s behind Ryan Bertrand in the pecking order so it looks like Southampton are ready to cash-in.

No suggested transfer fee is mentioned by TeamTalk but hopefully the former England U21 international won’t cost too much as Emery is working on a tight budget of around £40m this summer after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Sead Kolasinac was Emery’s first choice down the left side last season but he was better in a more advanced left wing-back role and was poor defensively when played as a traditional left-back.

Nacho Monreal spent much of his time playing on the left side of a back three and he’s being linked with a move back to Spain so perhaps Emery is viewing Targett as a long-term replacement for the 33-year-old.

We’ll have to wait and see what develops but I hope we don’t focus too much of our attention, and money, on bringing in a left-back unless he’s top class [which Targett isn’t] as we have other priorities that need to be addressed first.