Arsenal are lining up a late attempt to sign Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt, a report from The Mirror claims.
The Gunners recently loaned out Sead Kolasinac to Schalke 04 and that has left them without a specialist left-back to act as the back-up to Kieran Tierney.
Tierney has been absent for the past three games with a calf problem and during this period, Cedric Soares, who is a right-back by trade, has filled the void.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bukayo Saka can also fill in the position when required, but manager Mikel Arteta seems keen on landing a specialist defender for the role.
As per The Mirror, the club are lining up a move for Van Aanholt and they are hopeful of convincing the Eagles to sell him before tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
The north London giants were recently interested in Tyrick Mitchell from the Eagles, but he is not for sale and considered as part of their long-term plans.
Our view:
Soares has impressed from the left-back position in the past three games, but the Gunners could have limited options, particular if Maitland-Niles is permitted to leave on loan.
Hence, they are eager to land a new left-back and Van Aanholt could be a decent signing for them, given his vast experience in the Premier League with more than 200 appearances.
The 30-year-old’s deal with the Eagles expires in less than six months’ time and the south London outfit may be tempted to cash in rather than losing him for nothing in the summer.
He is currently on a salary of around £55,000-a-week and that should be comfortably within the Gunners’ range after easing the wage bill through the release of Sokratis and Mesut Ozil recently.
