Arsenal are in the transfer market for a new central defender, just as many had opined at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Recent reports coming in from Sky Sports claim that Arsenal could have an option of signing Argentina international Ezequiel Garay.
Garay, who is currently contracted to Russian side Zenit, has reportedly made up his mind about a move to England. The Argentine has voiced his preference over a move to the Emirates stadium in specific.
The 6ft 4in tall and intelligent centre-back, who moved to Russian giants Zenit from Benfica for only £4m, could be an important addition to the Gunners line-up.
With first choice central defender Laurent Koscielny taking the captain’s armband from outgoing skipper Mikel Arteta, and rightly so ahead of vice-captain Per Mertesacker, is going to need a new partner in the heart of defense, given Mertesacker’s age and the fact that Gabriel Paulista’s partnership with either Mertesacker or Koscielny has not yielded the desired results.
In other words, the Gunners had a disappointing defensive display last season and getting in another central defender would be a welcome move, both by the club itself and the fans.
The stable, solid interceptor Garay could in many ways compliment the ball playing, bossman Laurent Koscielny. The Argentine has won League titles in his home country as well as with Benfica in Portugal and Zenit in Russia.
Although he was not selected for the Copa America,he has 32 caps for his country and has previously played an important role in the heart of defense for the national side.
The defender, according to Tuttosport, apparently prefers a move to the Emirates, in spite of reports coming in that Manchester United too could be leading the race for the defender.
Either way, Arsenal are likely and should be in the market for a new centre-back, one who can provide competition for Gabriel and Mertesacker, both of whom have, due to unfamiliarity(perhaps) with the league & the language and age respectively, not delivered when it has mattered.
It would be frustrating to see Arsene Wenger avoid this one or take too long in making a decision over the tall hard tackler, and I would only sit back and pray that a deal for the Argentine goes through.
