The Gunners might secure the services of another defensive player before the current transfer market shuts.
The North London side have made no secret of their desire to bolster their frontline, which occasionally faltered during their title-winning run, yet they have not completed a high-profile attacking acquisition, having only recruited winger Christos Tzolis for a relatively small sum.
Nonetheless, the chance to recruit one more reinforcement for the backline could prove irresistible to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, particularly with a fresh option emerging on the market lately.
Arsenal target further defensive reinforcements
During this window, Arteta has already strengthened his defensive unit and defensive midfield, committing in excess of £120 million to bring in Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes.
Now, reports from ESPN Brazil indicate that the Premier League holders might invest in yet another backline option, targeting Santos’ teenage prospect Joao Ananias.
Arsenal are part of a wide group of suitors monitoring the 19-year-old, alongside Brentford, Atletico Madrid, and Besiktas, though the Turkish club is the only one to have put forward an official bid up to this point.
According to the report, Benfica nearly finalized a £6 million deal for Ananias back in June, but negotiations with Santos ultimately collapsed, and the Brazilian club is now using those terms as a benchmark for future discussions.
Although the central defender’s current contract runs until 2030, the Alvinegro’s fiscal struggles mean player sales are necessary, meaning a transfer could assist them in meeting financial requirements.
With Konsa integrated into the roster, the Gunners boast eight different options capable of operating at centre-back, joining Ben White, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, and Riccardo Calafiori.
It is understood by FourFourTwo that Arsenal remain highly cautious regarding the back issue Saliba picked up at the World Cup, and while players like Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Martin Zubimendi can cover defensively if required, it matches Arteta’s style to sign another young central defender for the future.
During the twilight of his spell with the club, Rob Holding served as a backup solution, with the Gunners relying on the veteran defender to solidify their defense and provide leadership, often as a late substitute.
Furthermore, 16-year-old academy prospect Marli Salmon has already featured four times for the first team in defense and could get more opportunities as the season unfolds.
According to database Transfermarkt, Ananias holds a market valuation of €500k. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s next Premier League test sees them travel to face Aston Villa in the upcoming round of fixtures.
