Charles Watts has now offered an update on Rob Holding’s future at Arsenal with the Gunners set to reject a bid from Besiktas for the defender’s possible summer transfer.
The journalist has just backed up reports by David Ornstein of The Athletic while speaking to TEAMtalk that Besiktas have just made Arsenal an offer for Holding’s transfer. The Super Lig giant has tabled a derisory bid to the Emirates Stadium outfit worth £2m for the 27-year-old.
Besiktas face falling at the first hurdle with Arsenal due to reject the offer. Holding has a year remaining on his contract in north London. But the Gunners can extend his terms until June 2025 via a one-year option in his current deal. He last penned fresh terms in January 2021.
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What has Watts said about Holding’s future at Arsenal amid Besiktas’ bid?
Holding has been at Arsenal since joining the Gunners from Bolton Wanderers for £2m back in July 2016. Only Mohamed Elneny has been with the north Londoners’ first-team for longer after signing in January 2016. While Holding has made 162 appearances in all competitions.
Yet the arrival of Jurrien Timber from AFC Ajax has now bolstered Arsenal’s central defensive options again. The £34m, rising to £38.5m, capture takes Mikel Arteta’s options to six beside Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior to put Holding out of favour.
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So, Watts firmly expects Arsenal will let Holding leave in the current transfer window. But an exit from the capital club to Besiktas will not materialise at the fee the Black Eagles have bid.
“Holding can definitely go this summer, 100%,” Watts reported. “Arsenal are open to letting Rob Holding leave this summer. But someone’s going to have to pay a hell of a lot more than £2m to get that done.
“It’s just nowhere near the valuation that Arsenal would expect for a player of his quality, of his age [and] of his Premier League experience.”
How much do Arsenal want to sell Besiktas target Holding this summer?
Given Arsenal can extend Holding’s contract until 2025, Watts expects Arsenal to demand a far larger fee from Besiktas for Holding’s transfer. The Gunners have already sold a centre-half this summer for £6m. Pablo Mari agreed a permanent move to AC Monza after his loan.
Watts also advised: “He’s not a world-class superstar but he’s a good Premier League player and you cannot just be giving him away. You’ve definitely got to be aiming for at least £10m.”
Holding amassed 24 of his appearances for Arsenal last season after featuring heavily in the Europa League and following Saliba’s injury. He also impressed Arteta after stepping into the Gunners’ team for the Frenchman at home to Crystal Palace in March and secured a 4-1 win.
Arteta described Holding as ‘brilliant’ against Crystal Palace in his first Premier League start of the season. The centre-back had only featured seven times in the top-flight that term up until Saliba’s injury. Each of his outings also came as a late substitute to see out their wins.