CRYSTAL PALACE WANT TO SIGN ‘AMAZING’ £20M ARSENAL PLAYER
Crystal Palace have shown a surprise interest in snapping up Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer.
Arsenal ace Takehiro Tomiyasu has attracted interest from London rivals Crystal Palace this summer.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Palace have shown an interest in taking Tomiyasu to Selhurst Park.
It’s noted that Arsenal are big fans of Palace defender Marc Guehi but a deal for him this late in the transfer window seems tricky.
Palace do like Tomiyasu though which may open up a glimmer of hope for a potential exchange.
That still seems unlikely though as Mikel Arteta absolutely loves players who provide real versatility.
Tomiyasu – hailed as ‘amazing’ by Ben White – fits that bill perfectly having played all across the back four; right back, left back, centre back – the Japan international can do it all.
That’s especially important right now given that Jurrien Timber is set to miss most of the season through injury.
Timber is so vital because of that same versatility and it was no surprise when Tomiyasu was picked to replace Timber against Palace on Monday.
It’s somewhat ironic that Palace have been wanting to sign Tomiyasu and when did actually start against the Eagles on Monday night, he was sent off.
If Tomiyasu believes in bad omens, there is a chance that he may not fancy making Selhurst Park his permanent home
Arsenal would be wise to explore defensive targets amid Crystal Palace interest in Takehiro Tomiyasu
Maybe Palace formalise their interest in Tomiyasu before next week’s deadline, maybe they don’t.
It’s nearly two years since Tomiyasu joined Arsenal for £20million and another late transfer seems unlikely for him.
Yet with Timber injured and some lingering question marks over the future of Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal would be wise to have some defensive targets in mind.
Guehi would be one but he is a pure centre back and doesn’t really have the defensive versatility Arteta likes.
Edmond Tapsoba is another name mentioned of late but it’s a similar story with him, having played exclusively as a centre back for Bayer Leverkusen.
Maybe versatile full backs like Timothy Castagne and Kyle Walker-Peters, who can play on either side, suit Arsenal better right now.
Neither would break the bank after their clubs suffered relegation and they have plenty of Premier League experience.
We can’t really see Tomiyasu leaving but you just never know – and Arsenal need to be prepared in case they receive an offer they just can’t refuse.
