Arsenal could be set for another transfer in the coming days as reports from France claim that defender Rob Holding has begun talks over a move to Turkish side Besiktas.
The Gunners have struggled to shift players this summer so far, with Mikel Arteta labelling his 30-man squad ‘unsustainable’ during the pre-season tour of the USA. As it stands, only Granit Xhaka, Matt Turner and Auston Trusty have left on permanent deals, with Marquinhos and Runar Alex Runarsson both leaving on season-long loans.
There are plenty of players still very much in the north London departures lounge, with the likes of Cedric, Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney expected to be sold if the right offer comes in.
Pepe has been linked with a move to Besiktas, but so far there has been a standoff over the finances of the deal, with the Turkish side believed to want Arsenal to terminate the Ivorian’s contract so as to sign him on a free transfer.
Now, however, they have entered the market for a second Arsenal man. As per L’Equipe, ‘Besiktas have started talks to try and bring in Rob Holding’, though whether on a loan or permanent deal is unclear.
Holding featured sparingly last season and is likely to do so again this season, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba now back to full fitness. An exit could be on the cards, though Arsenal are unlikely to sanction a loan move for the Englishman due to him being out of contract next summer as things stand, and having already rejected one permanent offer for the defender.
