Arsenal are reportedly monitoring centre-backs Omer Toprak of Bayer Leverkusen and Simon Kjaer from Fenerbahce with no breakthrough yet with primary target Shkodran Mustafi, according to Sky Sports.
Arsenal are in desperate need for at least one centre-back this summer after the loss of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to long-term injuries, Laurent Koscielny remains the only fit senior central defender but is still short on the fitness front after returning last week to full training.
Arsenal’s leaky defence clearly lacked experience and quality on Sunday as they conceded four times with Calum Chambers and Rob Holding partnered against Liverpool in the thrilling but ultimately disappointing 4-3 loss at Emirates.
Sky Sport believe Arsene Wenger is eyeing alternatives incase the Mustafi deal does fall through, despite the player thought to have agreed terms with the Gunners. However Valencia appear to be holding firm on their evaluation of the player.
Toprak, 27, is a Turkey international with 23 caps and has plenty of experience in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
Kjaer, also 27, has amassed 59 caps for Denmark and has been with Turkish outfit Fenerbahce since joining from Lille in 2015.
The two are likely to be pursued more heavily should the Mustafi deal fall through, considering how dire we are for a centre-back with plenty of experience but can still develop further at the club – the Valencia centre-half should remain our priority. Wenger again seems dead set on paying just the price he sees fit as the right value for the player. Not necessarily Valencia’s evaluation.
Loosen the purse strings Wenger.
Do you think Mustafi should remain our primary target or do you think Toprak or Kjaer are more suitable targets? Share your thoughts below…
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