Arsenal eye Ajax’s Devyne Rensch, but face competition from Brighton and Sevilla. Will the Gunners make a move for the talented defender?

  • Arsenal are following Ajax right-back Devyne Rensch, but Brighton and Hove Albion are currently in the lead for his signing.
  • The 20-year-old Dutch international has already made 87 appearances for Ajax and can also play as a centre-back and left-back.
  • Arsenal need a new defender to provide alternatives and cover for their current options, with an over-reliance on Rob Holding and Ben White.
BERLIN, GERMANY: Jordan Siebatcheu of 1.FC Union Berlin battles for possession with Devyne Rensch of AFC Ajax during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off second leg match between 1. FC Union Berlin and AFC Ajax at Stadion an der alten Försterei on February 23, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY: Jordan Siebatcheu of 1.FC Union Berlin battles for possession with Devyne Rensch of AFC Ajax during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off second leg match between 1. FC Union Berlin and AFC Ajax at Stadion an der alten Försterei on February 23, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

Santi Aouna reports for FootMercato that Ajax defender Devyne Rensch is catching the eye over in England, with Arsenal and Brighton following the player closely.

Brighton are reportedly the most advanced on the player’s case at the moment, hoping to secure the signing quickly. Meanwhile, over in Spain, Sevilla are also interested in a move.

20-year-old Rensch primarily operates on the right-hand side for Ajax, though he has also featured at centre-back and left-back for the team on occasion.

Despite his age, the Dutch international has already made 87 appearances for Ajax, and he earned his debut for the senior national team in 2021, providing an assist against Turkey.

He hasn’t found it so easy to get games since then, receiving call-ups to the squad on a couple of occasions but failing to get onto the pitch. But given he was still a teenager during the winter World Cup, he’s got a lot of time and a lot more tournaments to come.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Devyne Rensch and Calvin Bassey of AFC Ajax battle for the ball with Sheraldo Becker of 1.FC Union Berlin during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg one match between AFC Ajax and 1. FC Union Berlin at Johan Cruyff Arena on February 16, 2023. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Devyne Rensch and Calvin Bassey of AFC Ajax battle for the ball with Sheraldo Becker of 1.FC Union Berlin during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg one match between AFC Ajax and 1. FC Union Berlin at Johan Cruyff Arena on February 16, 2023. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

As it stands, it sounds like Brighton are the more likely club to secure Rensch’s signing. But Arsenal probably will be in for another defender this summer.

A right-back would give an alternative to Ben White and allow Takehiro Tomiyasu to cover for William Saliba (or Gabriel Magalhaes) when required. A centre-back would directly cover Saliba and leave Tomiyasu and White as right-back options.

Either way, Arsenal would be in a better position than they are now, with an over-reliance on Rob Holding in Saliba’s absence and no alternative to White on the right with Tomiyasu out.