Arsenal news round-up: Talks over Feyenoord ace, Saka could be sold, Arteta wants Hakimi

Arsenal working on transfer of promising Eredivisie left-back

Arsenal are among sides keeping a close eye on Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia, according to a recent report from Caught Offside.

The talented left-back has emerged as a target for the north London side, with coach Mikel Arteta desperate to strengthen his options in the full-back department this summer.

He is expected to cost around £8 million, with the Gunners recently opening talks with the Eredivisie side.

Although the reported negotiation is far from over, the ace could become the desired replacement for Sead Kolasinac, who signed for Schalke on loan in January and is likely to be sold permanently in the summer.

A product of the Feyenoord youth sector, Tyrell has enjoyed a lot of success in the Dutch top-flight, since making his breakthrough during the 2017/18 term.

He has, in fact, notched up 79 competitive matches for the Dutch outfit across all competitions, with the current campaign seeing him become the first-choice left-back for Feyenoord.

From the Gunners’ perspective, Malacia could turn out to be a useful low-cost alternative for other top targets in the market.

The north Londoners are already in desperate need of reinforcements in the left-back unit, with Kieran Tierney serving as the only reliable option in the senior team.

Arteta has utilised Cedric Soares on the left wing at times this season, but the Portuguese international is surely a better fit in his preferred right-back role.

Arsenal considering selling prized asset to increase their transfer kitty

Arsenal could allegedly be forced to sell highly-rated prodigy Bukayo Saka in order to raise the necessary funds for the summer transfer business.

The north Londoners’ European hopes for the 2020-21 term are hanging by a thread after their dismal 3-0 defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the Premier League, and that result leaves Mikel Arteta’s team nine points off the pace in the hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot.

A successful venture in the UEFA Europa League would see Arsenal return to the pinnacle of European football, but should the club fail to qualify for a spot in continental competition, the transfer plans could be severely impacted.

As a result, The Times suggests that Mikel could ultimately be forced to part company with Saka, who would command a much higher transfer sum than players who already appear to be heading for the exit door, such as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira and Sead Kolasinac.

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is understood to be reluctant to fund new arrivals considering the club’s poor fortunes on the pitch, but the Spaniard would only consider selling Bukayo as a last resort if they cannot garner enough money from selling out-of-favour players.

Saka has been a shining light in an otherwise mediocre campaign for Arsenal, with the 19-year-old registering six goals and six assists across all competitions for the Gunners.

Arsenal still keen to bring in 6-goals and 6-assists Inter Milan ace

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Morocco and Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi, according to the latest reports in Italy.

The Serie A giants have slapped a €50 million (£43 million) price tag on the 22-year-old star, who joined from the La Liga outfit Real Madrid in a deal worth £34 million last summer’s transfer market.

According to a recent report from the Italian media outlet CalcioMercato, the Gunners have identified Achraf as a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin should he quit the club.

Hakimi has established himself as a key part of Antonio Conte’s side, contributing six goals and six assists in 34 matches in Serie A.

However, there is financial uncertainty surrounding I Nerazzurri and Hakimi could be sold to bring money into the club.

Bellerin has been linked with a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium with Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain mentioned as a potential landing spot while the Blues allegedly consider Hakimi as a right midfield option.

It was revealed last month that the Italian side’s owners Suning Group had halted operations at its Chinese football outfits, including the recently-crowned champions Jiangsu FC, because of financial jeopardy – a move which plunged the future of Inter Milan into uncertainty.