Arsene Wenger is looking add a cover to his depleted defensive unit ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League season. The Gunners face a tough clash with Liverpool on August 14 and Wenger is missing several key players ahead of the new season opening day clash.
Arsenal will be without Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, with the later sidelined until next year.
Gabriel Paulista is likely to take the leading role against the Reds in the absence of the pair but the options to partner him are limited.
New signing Rob Holding has no Premier League experience which means either of Calum Chambers (out of favour) and Nacho Monreal (a left-back) will have to partner Gabriel at the heart of defence.
Arsenal, therefore, are in need to add a centre-back ahead of the new season and according to reports the Gunners have reportedly lodged a bid to re-sign their former skipper Thomas Vermaelen.
The Catalan giants are “mulling over” an offer from Arsenal while Serie A giants Roma are also reported to have lodged a formal bid for the Barcelona defender.
Vermaelen has made only 11 La Liga appearances at the Camp Nou since leaving Arsenal in 2014. He has endured an injury-ravaged spell at the Catalan club but he would seamlessly slot back into the Arsenal set up bringing all his experience into play.
The Gunners are also exploring the option of signing Torino’s highly rated defender Bruno Peres. According to reports in Italy, Arsenal have made a £13.5m move for the Brazilian right-back, however, the bid is short of Torino’s £17m valuation.
The 26-year-old joined Torino from Santos in 2014 and has started 58 games for The Bull over two seasons in Serie A. Blessed with pace and fine technical abilities, he is capable of deputising as a winger. He has scored six goals and providing seven assists over two seasons in Serie A.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
