Arsenal are reportedly considering an attempt to sign Manchester United’s Eric Bailly next month as they seek to cover up the absence of Rob Holding with a long-term injury.
Holding recently sustained a serious knee problem during the league game at Old Trafford and the club have since confirmed that the Englishman would be sidelined between six and nine months.
Amidst this, Emery has acknowledged that the club may seek to pursue a good ‘defensive’ option during the winter period and according to ESPN, Bailly has emerged as one of the prime targets on their radar.
The Ivory Coast international has been one of United’s standout performers whenever he has featured in the starting lineup but he has not quite managed to cement a regular role amid concerns over his fitness, in particular.
Due to this, there has been strong speculation linking him with a departure from Old Trafford but a winter switch to the Emirates remains highly doubtful with Mourinho said to value the defender highly despite the strained relationship between the two.
Meanwhile, Chelsea captain Gary Cahill has been highlighted as another option to possible reinforce the Gunners backline next month and the Englishman should be available on a cheaper price when compared to Bailly.
Cahill, who has yet to make a league start for the Blues this term, has just seven months remaining on his existing deal and the 32-year-old could offer a potential boost to the Gunners backline, although he has shown signs of regressing over the past year.
Arsenal are scheduled to face Qarabag at the Emirates Stadium in their final Europa League group stage game tonight and the match is expected to witness the much-awaited return of skipper Laurent Koscielny after his long-term Achilles problem.
