The unreliable fitness levels of Arsenal’s left-back options this season could force them into the transfer market this January, but who could they look to sign?
Sead Kolasinac, Nacho Monreal and Ainsley Maitland-Niles haven’t all been fit at the same time at any point so far this campaign.
First, Monreal and Kolasinac were out, then Maitland-Niles suffered a fracture and Stephan Lichtsteiner had to fill in. Then Monreal returned for a while before he and Kolasinac both suffered hamstring injuries at the same time. Kolasinac has returned, but Monreal’s return date just keeps being pushed back every time Arsenal discuss it.
Rumours at the start of the summer suggested Sven Mislintat was interested in a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a holding midfielder and a left-back in the window. He signed three of the four, but the club made no headway on the left-hand side.
It’s hard to argue the injury situation is going to make Arsenal any less likely to go back again this winter. Let’s have a look at who the media believe are on Mislintat’s shortlist.
3Jose Gaya
- Age: 23
- Current club: Valencia CF
- Contract until: 2023
- Market value: £31.5m
At just 23 years of age, Gaya has already played 161 matches for Valencia’s first team. This season he’s once again a regular in the starting eleven, making 11 league appearances for the full 90 minutes in their 12 matches so far.
There were reports last year that Gaya’s release clause would drop to £25.4m over the summer, a very decent price for such a young and experienced player. However, this was increased to £88m when he extended his deal back in May, so some negotiation would be required to bring down the price.
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly both also in the race for his signature alongside Arsenal. The Gunners might have an advantage though, as they’ve dealt with Valencia a lot in the past.
In the summer of 2017, Arsenal sold Gabriel Paulista to the Spanish side. They then followed that up with the transfer of Francis Coquelin in January. Before that, Arsene Wenger signed Shkodran Mustafi the previous year. Perhaps the Spanish international could be the next transfer in the saga.
Click ‘Next’ for more Arsenal-linked left-backs ahead of the January transfer window