According to a report in Italy, Stephan Lichtsteiner will make a decision about his future in the next two weeks before the start of the World Cup.
The 34-year-old Juventus defender is out of contract this summer and has reportedly already been to London Colney to discuss a possible move to Arsenal.
With Arsenal operating on a limited budget this summer, signing a senior pro on a free transfer would be a great move for the club and although Lichtsteiner is approaching the end of his career, there is no doubting what he would bring to the club.
Arsenal, at present, have no defined right-back back-up for Bellerin but Lichtsteiner would bring so much more than that to the squad, as well as freeing up cash for other positions that desperately need reinforced.
The story is something of a turnaround given that in December Juventus were said to be targeting Bellerin to replace the Swiss international. Bellerin has reiterated his happiness in London and his desire to stay with Arsenal.
“I’m playing in one of the biggest clubs in Europe and there’s always competition for places,” Lichtsteiner told Mediaset after making his 300th appearance against Bologna earlier this month. “But my future is going to be away from Turin. At the end of the season I’m leaving. I’ll play abroad next year but I’ve not signed anything yet.”
Lichtsteiner is expected to captain his country in Russia this summer and Tuttomercatoweb state that he wants to find a ‘definitive solution’ to his future before the tournament kicks off.
Arsenal and the player are still said to be in negotiations with no agreement reached at the time of writing.