Arsenal have rolled up their sleeves for a busy summer after a winter transfer window that only saw departures. As many as five first-team players left the Gunners in January either on-loan or a permanent move. One move which shocked everybody was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s free transfer to FC Barcelona. Moreover, Arsenal refused to sign the striker’s replacement, relying on Lacazette and Nketiah. But Edu and Arsenal are ready to do some serious business in the summer to sign a top-quality striker and reinforce other positions too.
Summer could see both Lacazette and Nketiah leave since their contracts expire by then. However, Arsenal’s plans for a new striker are firm and irrespective of Lacazette and Nketiah’s contract situations. Another departure the Emirates could see is Granit Xhaka’s. Jose Mourinho tried to sign the Swiss midfielder for AS Roma on a couple of occasions and is ready to come again for him in the summer. The third time may be the charm for Mourinho as Arsenal could allow Xhaka to leave. A central midfielder could join Arsenal’s list for summer shopping too. New reports have emerged from Turkey over Arsenal and Edu keeping an eye on a center-back from Turkish Süper Lig.
Arsenal and Edu closely tracking South Korean defender
Edu has reportedly asked his scouts to watch Fenerbahce center-back Kim Min-Jae’s progress with the Turkish club. The South Korean has caught many eyes with his recent breakthrough with Fenerbahce and Arsenal are one amongst them. According to Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepúlveda, Arsenal had their scout present at Fenerbahce’s clash with Trabzonspor to monitor Kim Min-Jae. Min-Jae stands 6ft 4in with a dominant physicality that the Premier League demands. The center-back is regarded as one of the finest footballers South Korea has produced, alongside Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min and Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan.
South Korean journalist Sungmo Lee has heaped praise on Kim Min-Jae while speaking to football.london.
“Kim Min-jae is hailed as one of the best center-backs South Korea has produced in the 21st century,” Lee said.
The journalist further added,
“He has huge potential. He’s big, strong, and fast. He’s strong in the air, and also has good feet”.
Given his qualities, it seems Min-Jae ticks all the boxes to play in the Premier League. If Edu notches up the talent for Arsenal, Min-Jae could well look up to his Asian compatriot Takehiro Tomiyasu who has brilliantly settled in at the club.
However, as mentioned by Sepúlveda, a host of clubs in Tottenham, Chelsea, Juventus, and Porto have scouted Min-Jae. Fenerbahce signed Min-Jae from the Chinese side BJ Guoan last summer for a fee of £2.4 million, which has now soared up to £8.1 million after the 25-year-old’s solid displays.
More defensive reinforcements planned
While Min-Jae is been tracked, he may not be the only defensive signing Arsenal could make in the summer. Edu is looking to add more defensive options at Arsenal in the summer. As many as four first-team defenders left Arsenal since the start of the 21/22 season. Hector Bellerin and Pablo Mari left on-loan whereas Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers made permanent moves. There is a growing possibility that both Bellerin and Mari’s loan moves could be made permanent by their respective clubs. Rob Holding could also look for more minutes and as a result, leave the club. Amidst such an exodus, Arsenal are planning to bring in their outgoing defenders’ replacements.
Edu wants to place his bet on on-loan center-back William Saliba to succeed at Arsenal. Saliba is currently proving his mettle at French side Marseille and would return to England after his loan expires at the end of the season. Mikel Arteta was reluctant in handing Saliba enough opportunities with Arsenal, but Edu could change the scenario coming summer. The technical director wants Saliba to be a part of Arteta’s plans for the next season, and won’t send him on another loan venture after Marseille.
Moreover, Mikel Arteta has asked Edu to sign a right-back too in the summer. Tomiyasu has undoubtedly become the first-choice right-back, but Arteta wants a healthy competition to the Japanese. Cedric Soares has had some powerful displays in recent games, which could force Arteta to give a second thought on bringing in a new right-back. An exciting summer awaits Arsenal and a Champions League spot could provide another boost to it. Edu has pulled some genius moves for Arsenal and is gearing up to work his wonders once again.
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