Arsenal are looking to add some defensive steel to their squad in the summer transfer window, with one particular athlete touted for a move.
After a torrid week in which they lost 2-0 to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday before crashing out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, rumours have started gathering pace as to who Arsenal might sign in the summer.
But despite a striker still seeming like the most likely area of concern, it’s a centre-back who is the latest player to be linked with the Gunners.
Arsenal might look for more defensive reinforcements (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to Ecuadorian outlet Bolavip, Arsenal are considering making a £38.5m move for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Willian Pacho in the summer, with the 22-year-old having impressed in the Bundesliga this season.
The report suggests that Frankfurt will want a figure closer to £52m, though, meaning there is some distance between valuations from both clubs. Plus, Liverpool are also interested in the Ecuadorian, potentially hiking the price up further.
Left-footed and comfortable on the ball, Arsenal could look to play Pacho instead of Gabriel next season. He’d certainly fit in with Mikel Arteta’s focus on defensive solidity, too, with his physical attributes especially highlighted by Frankfurt sporting director, Markus Krosche.
(Image credit: Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
“Willian is a very clever player, who listens well and is quick to implement what’s asked of him,” Krosche said. “His speed and strength in the tackle are what make him stand out.”
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Transfermarktvalues Pacho at £27m, despite the centre-back still having four years remaining on his deal. It’s safe to say he would cost considerably more than that this summer.
In FourFourTwo‘s view, there certainly seems to be some legs in this transfer link. While Gabriel has been a consistent performer for the Gunners this season, it did seem like Arteta wanted to play Ben White more centrally prior to Jurrien Timber’s injury at the start of the season. Pacho may not be the final target, but a left-sided centre-back certainly could be.
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