Arsenal’s pursuit of one of their top summer transfer targets has hit a wall.
The Gunners’ priority this summer is elevating the quality of attack, but they are also in the market for defensive reinforcements.
With Ben White’s future at the club uncertain, and more pressingly, Jurrien Timber being forced to withdraw from the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, Arsenal want to sign a right-back.
Despite returning as a substitute during the Champions League final defeat to PSG, Timber has been unable to shake off his groin injury which will see him miss this summer’s tournament.
It is not yet known the severity of Timber’s injury and how long he will be out for, but it could disrupt Arsenal’s start to the season.
As a result, Mikel Arteta’s need for a top-quality option to compete with the Dutchman for the starting berth has become even more urgent.
Finish the sentence: The most Arsenal should pay to sign Tino Livramento is £__m
Latest update on Arsenal’s transfer pursuit of Tino Livramento
Tino Livramento has been firmly on Arsenal’s radar as a potential solution at right-back, should White be sold.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most highly-rated full-backs in the Premier League, and his inclusion in England’s World Cup squad has only strengthened his reputation.
But according to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are not currently willing to meet Newcastle’s asking price, a figure that could eclipse the world-record fee for a full-back (Achraf Hakimi’s £58million move to PSG).
Adding to that, the Gunners hierarchy have serious reservations about Livramento’s injury record too.
Should Tino Livramento’s injury history put Arsenal off signing him?
The Newcastle defender started just 14 Premier League matches this season due to a series of knee, thigh and hamstring problems.
For a club already dealing with injury concerns in that position, paying a world-record fee for a player with that fitness history is a risk Arsenal are unwilling to take. Rightly so.
The right-back alternatives Arsenal are now exploring
With Livramento effectively priced out for now, Andrea Berta is exploring other options.
The same report states that Brazilian duo Wesley and Vanderson are both under consideration, while Italian international Marco Palestra and Sporting’s Ivan Fresneda also feature prominently on the shortlist.
Fresneda has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, and Real Madrid’s decision to sign Denzel Dumfries puts the Gunners in a favourable position should they make an official approach for the Spaniard.
Palestra, meanwhile, is an elegant and versatile option who has attracted significant interest after an impressive season.
Interestingly, Livramento is not the only Newcastle player on Arsenal’s radar this summer.
The Gunners have also been in contact with the representatives of Sandro Tonali, with the Italian midfielder understood to be a target for Arteta as he looks to add quality and depth in the engine room.
With defence, midfield, and attack all requiring attention, Arsenal’s summer window is shaping up to be perhaps more complex than first anticipated, following the Premier League title win.
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