Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to put pen to paper over a new contract in the coming days, and it is easy to see why the club are keen on securing his future.
The 25-year-old has missed significant chunks of this season through injury and his participation in the Asia Cup, but is a vital part of Mikel Arteta’s squad given his outstanding defensive ability and his versatility.
In recent months it was reported that Bayern Munich had an interest in the Japan International, and with 18 months left on his contract, Arsenal opened talks over his future.
The January transfer window closed last week, and whilst Arsenal were fairly inactive overall, they did receive offers for a number of players including Tomiyasu.
Fabrizio Romano reveals transfer offers for Takehiro Tomiyasu
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Fabrizio Romano claimed that Arsenal received several proposals for Tomiyasu in the final days of the transfer window, and these were swiftly rejected.
“It is true that Arsenal had some possibilities to sell Tomiyasu during the winter transfer window. They had some loan proposals, from what I heard, from Italy,” he stated.
“But, at the end of the day, it was never something concrete because the board and Arteta always wanted to keep Tomiyasu, and he is very happy at the club.”
Arsenal would not have let Tomiyasu leave in January
It is clear that Arteta rates Tomiyasu too highly to let him leave, especially on loan, and his new deal is a deserved one.
Tomiyasu joined in 2021 on a salary of £55k-a-week, which is less than what outcast Cedric Soares is currently on.
His new deal not only protects his value, but secures his future, and brings Tomiyasu in line with his colleagues as an important player.
The defender will be vital in this second half of the season if he can stay fit, both to provide cover for Ben White, as well as offering a more defensive option than Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left when coming up against dangerous or speedy wingers.
Having Tomiyasu back in the squad will offer Arteta more tactical variety, and both his physical traits and intelligence makes him an excellent option to have.
He can play anywhere across the back line, and offers speed, aerial dominance and excellent defensive awareness. Even when he is not starting, he is often the go-to substitute for Arteta, and is a popular figure amongst the fanbase.
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