David Ornstein of The Athletic has now issued an update on Arsenal’s stance about a transfer for Rob Holding amid Besiktas submitting an offer for the defender’s switch.
The journalist claimed on Twitter on Thursday night that Besiktas have tabled an opening bid for Holding’s transfer from Arsenal. The Super Lig giants are keen to sign the 27-year-old for the upcoming 2023/24 campaign. While the centre-back only has a year left on his contract.
Arsenal hold the option to extend Holding’s contract until 2025 thanks to a 12-month clause in his existing terms. But Besiktas strived to capitalise on his deal lapsing in June 2024 with a lowball opening bid. The Black Eagles’ first bid to take him to Istanbul was only €2.5m (£2m).
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What has David Ornstein said about a transfer from Arsenal to Besiktas for Rob Holding?
Ornstein claims that Arsenal feel Besiktas’ bid for Holding’s transfer was ‘far below’ what the Gunners value him at. So, Emirates Stadium chiefs will reject the offer for the club’s second-longest serving player. Only Mohamed Elneny has been with Arsenal for longer than Holding.
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Holding moved to north London back in July 2016 under Arsene Wenger. Arsenal sealed his transfer from Bolton Wanderers for just £2m as a 20-year-old after he made 26 appearances in the 2015/16 Championship season. Holding has since featured 162 times at Arsenal so far.
Just 24 of Holding’s appearances for Arsenal came over the 2022/23 season, however. The Stalybridge-born enforcer further only featured 14 times in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta handed the former England U21 gem seven of his league outings after William Saliba’s injury.
Mikel Arteta left Rob Holding out of the Gunners’ pre-season friendly with FC Nurnberg
Ornstein reported Besiktas’ bid for Holding’s transfer following Arsenal’s pre-season friendly with FC Nurnberg this Thursday evening. The Gunners drew 1-1 with the Bundesliga 2 outfit. While Arteta also excluded Holding from Arsenal’s match team at the Max-Morlock-Stadion.
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Saliba made his return from injury in the draw beside centre-half partner Gabriel Magalhaes. While Arteta named Auston Trusty among the Gunners’ backups and gave the 24-year-old minutes in the second half. The USA talent had spent 2022/23 on loan with Birmingham City.
Besiktas improving their offer, then, may perhaps see Holding agree to a transfer away from Arsenal in the summer window. But Vodafone Stadium chiefs must make a much greater bid for Holding, who Arteta called ‘incredible’ in 2021, to tempt Arsenal to change their stance.