Arsenal are on for an exciting summer transfer window after being linked with so many signings. Moreover, manager Mikel Arteta and Edu have provided glimpses as well that what should be expected in the summer. A striker tops the priority of the Gunners, but other positions will be reinforced as well. Furthermore, a new name has joined the wish-list of the Londoners for summer. Arsenal are now tipped to land a Serie A defender wanted by Edu.
Arsenal have performed brilliantly this season after spending £150 million last summer. The Gunners are in firm contention for Champions League football as they sit fourth in the league with four games to go. However, Arsenal have been a bit leaky at the back and want to add a solid defender to the ranks.
Moreover, after bright starts, Arsenal’s full-backs have suffered multiple injuries of late hampering the Gunner’s form. First-choice duo Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu have missed many games due to injuries this season. But Arsenal’s problems lie in their backups. Nuno Tavares and Cedric Soares have delivered mediocre performances costing Arsenal some goals and ultimately the points. Edu wants to refresh the backup options with an eye on Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey.
Arsenal to table bid for Bologna defender
Bologna’s Aaron Hickey has attracted many clubs after his breakthrough season with the Serie A club. The left-back has 33 appearances for Bologna this season, with all of them coming in the league. Further on, 32 of them have been starts for the 19-year-old. The Scotland international plays as an attacking wing-back and constantly pushes up the field for creating attacking threat.
In his 33 games so far, Hickey posts a dribble and 1.2 shot creating actions per 90. Moreover, known for his pressing, the wing-back presses the opponent 13 times per 90. His performances have earned him 5 goals and an assist in 33 games. According to Scots Abroad Pod, Arsenal have reportedly prepared an offer of around £17 million for the defender. Hickey’s current market value stands at £13.5 million and Arsenal improvement on it with an additional £3.5 may lure Bologna into accepting the bid.
However, SportsMole have reported that Napoli and Juventus are interested as well in the defender along with Arsenal. But Hickey’s international teammate Keiran Tierney and his former teammate at Bologna Tomiyasu could help Arsenal topple other clubs in the race. Further on, Arsenal share good relations with Bologna after acquiring Tomiyasu from them for £16.7 million.
Hickey is a star on the rise and would definitely reinforce Arsenal’s full-back options. Moreover, his ability of playing on the right as well may come handy as well for the Gunners. No surprise why Edu wants Arsenal to sign the defender first in the upcoming summer transfer window.
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