Arsenal appear desperate to add a left back this summer, following a long chase for Kieran Tierney a bid of £25million was rejected. Let’s look at possible alternatives if they can’t agree a fee with Celtic.
The Sun reported last night that Celtic had rejected the £25m bid due to being unhappy with the structure of the deal. The fee would have made him the most expensive Scottish footballer of all time.
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Arsenal expect to dominate most games so they need their full-backs to be capable in possession and athletic enough to get up and down the flank.
Sead Kolasinac has just not done the job for the Gunners, while Nacho Monreal is ageing and tends to play centre-back more often these days.
Tierney looked an ideal option for Unai Emery’s side, but it looks like the club may now need to think up a backup plan.
Bearing that in mind, these players could be a good fit if Arsenal need to look elsewhere…
Ricardo Rodriguez (AC Milan)
The Swiss International has been a mainstay in the AC Milan team over the past two seasons and has already been linked to Arsenal in the Express last week. He isn’t the quickest player but he’s very comfortable in possession and great with both feet. He’s reminiscent of Nacho Monreal in his playing style and if the Express report is correct, could be a cheaper alternative too.
Layvin Kurzawa (PSG)
He’s under appreciated in Paris where he is second choice to Juan Bernat. A French international with Champions League experience who can patrol the left flank. He also showed an aerial ability from set-pieces when he was at Monaco, which could provide an extra goal threat for The Gunners. He does have some injury concerns , but considering PSG have Bernat and look set to sign Abdou Diallo, the Frenchman may be expendable.
Jose Gaya (Valencia)
Following in the footsteps of Jordi Alba and Juan Bernat, Gaya has broken through as an attacking left back with great pace in Valencia. He’s vastly experienced despite only being 24, with over 150 league appearances and five international caps. He would be the most expensive player on the list, having signed a new contract last year he may be out of Arsenal’s price range.
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
Undoubtedly one of England’s bright young talents, he struggled in the Premier League last year which could play into Arsenal’s hands. The Telegraph reported last year he would cost at least £35m however his contract runs out next summer and a poor season could make him cheaper. Probably better going forward than defensively, The Telegraph also reported it was Spurs who wanted to sign him, so it would give Arsenal the chance to get one over on their rivals.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
The in-house and cheaper option could be attractive to Arsenal to allow money to be spent elsewhere. It would be a big ask for the Arsenal youth product who has broken through as the ultimate utility man, capable of playing in defence, midfield and even further up. He’s right footed and has filled in at right back often, so may take time to adapt. He is great on the ball and very quick so if he was allowed time to bed in, he could be a reasonable if uninspiring option for Unai Emery.
It still remains to be seen if Arsenal return with a third bid for Tierney, however they could be well advised to start looking at alternatives if negotiations continue to drag on.