In what could be a busy summer for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side are now said to be interested in signing a Premier League defender.
Of all Arsenal’s priorities this summer, it could be argued that signing a new left-sided defender is at the top of Edu’s agenda.
Arsenal plan to keep Jakub Kiwior at the club, but the same can’t be said for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney.
According to TBR sources, both have been told they can depart, which would leave the Arteta light on the left.
Takehiro Tomiyasu ended the season in the role, but perhaps isn’t a long-term solution, given he’ll be needed to deputise for Ben White on the right.
Right now with everyone fit, Jurrien Timber might be first choice left-back, even if it’s not his favoured role.
And that perhaps explains why the club are seeking specialist cover.
And to that end, Ben Jacobs has now reported that Arsenal are interested in Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
Arsenal ‘serious’ about signing Milos Kerkez but Bournemouth will say no
Kerkez arrived at Bournemouth last summer for a reported fee of £16m, and despite dipping out of the side on occasion, was a mainstay in Andoni Iraola’s impressive side.
The Hungary international is set to play for his country at Euro 2024, and when speaking on The Football Terrace, Jacobs confirmed Arsenal’s interest in the 20-year-old.
The journalist initially spoke about Jorrel Hato, who has decided he won’t leave Ajax this summer, and then confirmed both Arsenal and Chelsea’s interest in Kerkez.
Jacobs said: “They want a young left-back. Like Jorrel Hato, it could be a centre-back that can play left-back.
“Milos Kerkez is another name they’ve looked at — Arsenal & Chelsea are quite serious about him, even though Bournemouth don’t want to sell.”
Kerkez is the perfect Zinchenko upgrade
Long before he arrived in England, Kerkez appeared to be one of the most promising inverted full-backs in Europe.
The defender was outstanding at AZ Alkmaar and with respect, it’s a surprise that a bigger club than Bournemouth didn’t move for his signature first.
If Arsenal do want to make a move for the ‘fast and aggressive’ defender, they’re likely going to need to at least double the £16m Bournemouth paid, if not more.
And although it would have been harder to give Kerkez immediate Premier League experience in north London, Arsenal will surely hope to cut out the middleman in future.
All that being said, TBR can share that Arsenal are also in the market for a Ligue 1 left-back who just made the Team of the Season.