North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are ready to go head to head with each other for young defender Nathan Wood this summer as the two sides look to snap up the emerging talent.
The 20-year-old began his career with Middlesbrough, but has risen to prominence this season since his move to fellow Championship side Swansea City.
Wood has appeared 35 times for the Swans, racking up nearly 3000 Championship minutes and helping steer his side clear of the drop zone, ensuring another season in England’s second tier.
The centre-back has been earning rave reviews and has also been called up for the England youth system, captaining the England U20 side for the past 12 months.
And now, he is on the radar of Premier League clubs, with top-flight leaders Arsenal thought to be eyeing the centre-back up as a potential long-term replacement for Rob Holding.
Mikel Arteta has already added plenty of youth to his backline in the past 12 months, with William Saliba now a stalwart in the Gunners backline despite being just 22 years old, while 23-year-old Kiwior was also recruited in January.
They will face competition, though, in the form of north London rivals Tottenham. The Lilywhites are looking to add some talent to their defence with all of Davinson Sanchez, Japhet Tanganga and Joe Rodon’s futures uncertain this summer, while Clement Lenglet’s loan will expire at the end of the season.
Seemingly welded to a back three for the years to come thanks to the arrivals of Pedro Porro on the right and Destiny Udogie on the left, Wood could prove an astute addition having already played much of the season in that system.
