Spending big on Benjamin White last summer, Arsenal made it clear they were determined to address their defensive frailties, and it’s worked.
The Gunners are now the favourites to secure fourth in the Premier League after a great run of form under Mikel Arteta, and while qualifying for the Champions League will mean more money, it also means extra games.
In turn, that requires a bigger squad, which is why, with just White, Gabriel and Rob Holding as the natural centre-backs in the squad right now, someone else will need to come in.
It’s worth bearing in mind that William Saliba is expected to return from Marseille in the summer, and although that might be enough, Arsenal appear to be looking elsewhere too.
In fact, Arsenal were among ‘the first to appear willing to reach a deal for the Brazilian defender’ in the summer, even if ‘many more’ clubs are expected to join the race.
What’s great for Arteta here is that Torino, while wanting a fair chunk of money for their star, ‘wouldn’t intend’ to ask for an ‘impossible’ amount, with a fee of €30m put forward by the website.
That’s affordable, especially for a Premier League club, meaning Arsenal have a shot here if Edu Gaspar is indeed intent on bringing in another of his compatriots to the club.
