Fenerbahce centre-back and supposed Arsenal target, Simon Kjaer, has reportedly picked up an injury.
The defender, who has been linked with the Gunners as a back-up plan in case the Mustafi deal doesn’t go through, was dropped from the Turkish side’s squad to face Swiss Super League team, Grasshoppers, in their Europa League qualification match on Thursday night.
Fenerbahce won 3-0.
https://twitter.com/Turkish_Futbol/status/766333776007929856
There doesn’t appear to be any news on the injury itself, although earlier in the month Kjaer was subbed off in the 36th minute against Monaco after picking something up. This match was for Champions League qualification and Fenerbahce lost. It’s unclear whether this is the same injury, complications to do with this injury or a new one entirely.
Simon Kjær trained separately yesterday and might not be able to play against Monaco due to injury. pic.twitter.com/k89lEuB9JS
— Fenerbahçe Global (@fbglobalcom) August 3, 2016
Of course, the immediate response is to be skeptical over whether there is an injury or not considering the speculation surrounding him but, looking back at his history, the defender is no stranger being sidelined:
Simon Kjaer injured tonight. Ankle injury, will head to Turkey for medical check. Dont know how serious it is but should not be broken
— Michael Qureshi (@MichaelQureshi) September 7, 2015
Update on Simon Kjaer and his ankle injury, the Fenerbahce defender will be out for at least a month.
— TFW Podcast (@TFWpodcast) September 8, 2015
Viktor Fischer from Ajax has limped off with an injury committed by Simon Kjær. Wondering if this could harm him before the Sweden match?
— Danish Football News (@DanishFooty) November 5, 2015
I’m not sure that we’re genuinely interested in him with us seemingly so heavily on Mustafi’s case, which gives me another reason to believe this is genuine and not a ‘transfer niggle’.
I could be completely wrong, of course.