Sources reveal Arsenal ‘fascination’ with La Liga star, but £86m wonderkid is still ‘first choice’ transfer target

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Mikel Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar are plotting ways of taking the Gunners’ defensive contingent to the next level. 

Arsenal have a remarkable defensive record, but Mikel Arteta’s quest for continual improvement and development goes on. 

The North London club may well shake up their rearguard somewhat in the upcoming January transfer window, and the summer market to follow.

Jakub Kiwior is expected to leave Arsenal this winter, as Arteta recognises that the Poland international needs regular game time that he stands little chance of being afforded at the Emirates Stadium. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal must seriously consider selling Takehiro Tomiyasu if they can find a buyer for the versatile Japanese ace. The former Bologna man’s persistent injuries make him impossible to rely upon, and he has now fallen down the pecking order.

• READ MORE: How much Arsenal paid to sign every 2024/25 first-team squad player in the transfer market

Arsenal eye up Yarek Gasiorowski, Vitor Reis, and Jorrel Hato

The Gunners are now considering a number of young defenders who could be brought in to add quality and depth, as well as potential to improve in the future.

According to sources speaking exclusively to Arsenal Insider, a new name has now been added to Edu Gaspar’s shortlist. Arsenal have a “fascination” with Valencia wonderkid Yarek Gasiorowski and have recently dispatched scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action. 

Gasiorowski is a huge talent, but is still taking his first steps into senior football, with just 17 La Liga appearances under his belt in his career so far.

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Vitor Reis, too. The Brazilian teenager currently plies his trade for Palmeiras, and has also attracted interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid. 

However, Jorrel Hato is still thought to be Arsenal’s “first choice.” Ajax have put an £86 million price tag on the 18-year-old, who has already been capped three times at senior international level by the Netherlands. 

What sort of defender are Arsenal looking to sign?

It is clear, as has been the case with previous acquisitions in this part of the pitch, that physicality, versatility, and youth are key attributes being sought by Arsenal.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were both just 22 when they joined the club, and can both comfortably cover multiple defensive roles.

This time around, though, the Gunners are skewing towards even younger targets. This is likely due to how difficult the likes of Kiwior and Tomiyasu have found it to dislodge William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Arteta may be banking on the notion that a talented teenager will be in less of a rush to start week in, week out, and can instead learn from the club’s current first choice centre-backs, and eventually succeed them when the time is right.