Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has now issued a staunch response to interest from Bayern Munich in the transfer of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu in view of the January window.
The record Bundesliga champions have marked the 25-year-old as a player they are eager to sign in the winter sales. Tomiyasu has long been a talent on the radar of Bayern Munich due to his versatility. But that versatility has also yielded an improved role at Arsenal this season.
Tomiyasu has featured 16 times from a potential 19 games across all competitions, including 10 from 12 Premier League fixtures. Arteta has mostly played the 37-cap Japan international as a left-back this season, as well. The natural right-back has even featured as a centre-half.
Bayern Munich target Tomiyasu’s transfer from Arsenal
Reports by Sky Germany earlier this week cited Bayern Munich as retaining a long-standing interest in a transfer from Arsenal for Tomiyasu. It noted that Der FCB had explored a move for the defender this summer. He was amongst the Bavarian giants’ leading targets, as well.
Bayern Munich would now like to sign Tomiyasu ‘immediately’ in January, despite any move currently seeming ‘very unrealistic’. Allianz Arena chiefs are desperate to hand boss Thomas Tuchel defensive reinforcements as they failed to strengthen sufficiently during the summer.
Yet Arsenal, seemingly, also do not want to let Tomiyasu go without a fight. TEAMtalk claims the Emirates Stadium outfit are now planning to open talks with the Fukuoka native about a new contract. Tomiyasu signed his current £62k-a-week deal to 2025 upon joining Arsenal.
Arteta issues a firm response to Bayern Munich’s interest
Arsenal paid Bologna an initial £15.5m, rising to £20m, to sign Tomiyasu as Hector Bellerin’s intended replacement in August 2021. Ben White has since emerged as Arteta’s favourite at right-back, though. But the Spaniard is in no mood to see the Japan star leave north London.
Arteta has now issued a firm response to Bayern Munich’s speculated interest in Tomiyasu’s transfer from Arsenal. The Gunners boss states categorically his desire to keep the defender at London Colney, where he is loved by all, having finally now overcome his injury problems.
“I really want him to stay,” Arteta said, via quotes by football.london. “I value the player a lot [and] I really like him. He’s loved and respected by everybody at the club.
“[Tomiyasu’s] getting a lot of minutes now. He’s getting to a level of availability that we need to make an impact on the team. He will continue to be with us.”
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