Arsenal have reportedly already completed their first summer signing with the addition of French defender Evan Ndicka on a free transfer, with an agreement having been reached between the club and player that could be announced as early as January 1st.
The Gunners are on the lookout for another left-sided central defender, with Pablo Mari currently out on loan with Monza and expected to move permanently this summer, leaving Gabriel as the only left-footed option available to Arteta so far this season.
They were linked with Nico Schlotterbeck last summer, but the German ultimately completed a move to Borussia Dortmund, while they have also been linked with RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, but would face stiff competition for his signature.
As a result, it appears that they have moved for the Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back, with Il Romanista reporting that Arteta’s side have beaten Roma to the Frenchman’s signature.
The 23-year-old defender has been an ever-present for the German side so far this season in the Bundesliga, while he also started in their run to Europa League success last campaign, and would be a shrewd addition that could prove cost-effective in seasons to come.
What about January?
Arsenal are still expected to be active in January, with a new midfielder and a wide man on the agenda even before the injury to Gabriel Jesus. The likes of Danilo, Joao Felix, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Cody Gakpo and Youri Tielemans have all been mentioned previously as potential targets, though a new contract means that they are unlikely to reignite their interest in Douglas Luiz from last summer.
“It affects who we are as a team because he gives us so much,”
“What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we have when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions.
“We look at the squad and see what the options we have our with the players we have available. There are things we can try, we have the need to do so.’”
The Spaniard has previously bemoaned his ‘short’ squad, admitting that it is light in several areas, suggesting in turn that the Gunners could be busy this January as they look to sustain their title charge amid pressure from serial champions Manchester City.
For the summer, however, they seem to have added to their defence already.
