Fabrizio Romano reveals Arsenal now have deal with £20m star ‘agreed and sealed’

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Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that Takehiro Tomiyasu has just agreed a new contract with Arsenal.

Arsenal have been without Takehiro Tomiyasu in recent weeks, as he has been competing with Japan at the Asia Cup.

Japan were knocked out of that competition by Iran in a quarter-final clash on Saturday, meaning the defender is now free to return to the Emirates Stadium.

If the £19.8 million former Bologna man can stay fit, he will surely play a key role for the north London club between now and the end of the season. 

However, staying fit consistently has proven to be an issue for Tomiyasu so far in his Arsenal career. He has only made one Premier League appearance for Mikel Arteta’s side since December 2nd, as he was sidelined with a calf injury prior to be called away on international duty.

Whilst there is no doubting the 25-year-old’s talent, and his usefulness to the squad given his versatility, his persistent lack of availability is a real cause for concern. Many Arsenal fans have suggested that Arsenal ought to hold off on offering Tomiyasu a new contract until he has proven that he can be relied upon to stay fit for an extended period.

However, Arteta and the Arsenal board clearly have enough faith in Tomiyasu and his body to not want to waste any time in securing his future at the Emirates Stadium.

Were Arsenal wise to offer Takehiro Tomiyasu a new contract at this time?

As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X, fresh terms between the 41-cap Japan international and the north London club have now been “agreed and sealed.”

If Tomiyasu can stay fit for the remainder of the campaign, then he stands a strong chance of usurping left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order. He is more defensively solid than the Ukrainian, who has previously been dubbed a “weakness” at the back. Whilst Tomiyasu is not as proficient on the ball as a creative influence as the former Manchester City man, he has improved in this regard. Tomiyasu’s two-footedness also allows him to replicate the inverted style of play which Zinchenko specialises in. 

Until Tomiyasu has proven that he can avoid injury or fitness set-backs on a long-term basis, though, doubts will remain over the wisdom of offering him a new contract at this time. However, at the very least, this move protects the club’s investment in the player, as a long-term contract will preserve his transfer value, allowing Arsenal to attract a better fee for the player should they decide to move him on.