Arsenal have been dealt a blow as it has emerged that centre-back target Josip Sutalo is on the verge of joining Ajax in a 22m euro deal in the coming days.
The Gunners have already spent in excess of £200m this summer, bringing Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber to the club. They have also agreed a deal for Brentford no.1 David Raya, who is expected to join the club over the weekend.
However, they remain on the hunt for further additions, with Timber viewed as an option at fullback rather than in the heart of defence.
It means that Mikel Arteta’s side, who are hoping to go one better than last season, are still in the market for cover for William Saliba, whose back injury proved costly to their title ambitions last season.
Rob Holding, who replaced the Frenchman to begin with, is expected to leave the club this summer should a suitable bid come in, though so far the only offer has been rejected.
They had been linked with a move for Croatian defender Josip Sutalo, currently plying his trade for Dinamo Zagreb, and there were even claims that they had submitted a bid of around 20m euros.
It comes as a second blow to Mikel Arteta’s side, with the Gunners also likely to lose out on Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus who is on the verge of joining Brighton in a deal worth £40m. There is thought to be a hold up over the inclusion of a release clause in his contract, having seen the difficulties that Moises Caicedo has endured trying to depart the AMEX this summer.
