Arsenal have apparently bid £1.2m for Bolton’s 20-year-old defender, Rob Holding.

The Sun claim that the Gunners are keen to tie the deal up as soon as possible, probably hopeful that they don’t lose out to Chelsea like the last time they tried to sign a centreback from Bolton.

They also claim that Arsenal were looking to tie up the deal 24 hours after Granit Xhaka, and, well, it’s been more than that now.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Rob Holding of England U21 during the England U21 Training Session and Press Conference at St Georges Park on May 16, 2016 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – MAY 16: Rob Holding of England U21 during the England U21 Training Session and Press Conference at St Georges Park on May 16, 2016 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Arsenal have been monitoring the young defender for a while now according to reports and if it is true, £1.2m would seem like a low offer given the English premium that is bound to come into play.

How much did Chelsea offer for Stones just last season when he was just 20?

While not comparable with Stones at this point, it does highlight the crazy issue of buying young English talent and the prices they come with.

The deal would also include performance-related add-ons.

It seems totally in character than Arsenal would submit a bid of this amount.

It’s also very likely that Bolton are going to turn their noses up at it as they will feel they will get more and given their recent and long-standing financial woes, you can’t blame them for Holding out.

Sorry. Not sorry.