Arsenal’s next signing may be a centre-back, with reports suggesting the Gunners are closer to completing a defensive addition than one in any other position.
ESPN Brasil journalist Bruno Andrade reports that Arsenal are close to completing a move to sign a centre-back, though he doesn’t know who it is at this stage.
“I don’t have the name here, so I can’t call it an exclusive,” Andrade said (via Sport Witness). “But speaking to someone involved in Bruno Guimaraes’ situation, Arsenal are close to signing a centre-back to solve, for now, the issue created by Saliba’s injury.
“They haven’t given me the name yet. I’m trying to find out so I can help our English colleagues too, but it’s a deal that will happen even faster than the Bruno Guimaraes transfer. It’s really imminent.”
It’s certainly an interesting claim, considering recent reports have suggested that Arsenal haven’t made a significant amount of progress on a defensive signing.
The media have claimed in the last few weeks that Arsenal are interested in free agent John Stones, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, and Como’s Jacobo Ramon, but all three deals come with major complications.
Stones is seemingly on the way to Inter Milan, so he’s almost off the table entirely. Villa have set a very high asking price for Konsa, and Ramon’s situation is complicated by transfer clauses held by his former club Real Madrid.
Arsenal have been linked with some other defenders, but none of the links have been particularly concrete. So if the Gunners really are close to completing a deal for a centre-back, they’ve done well to keep it so quiet up until now.
- England confirm Arsenal star will miss Croatia clashEzri Konsa is set to miss England’s first game of the international break, but he’s expected to be available for the second.
- Arsenal 31yo makes World 11, teammate narrowly misses outDavid Raya has become the first Arsenal player to feature in the FIFPRO World 11 since Thierry Henry, with a couple of his teammates only narrowly missing out.
- Arsenal star makes FIFPRO Women’s World XIArsenal had four players shortlisted for the 2026 FIFPRO Women’s World 11, but only one secured a place in the final team chosen by fellow players.
- Martin Odegaard: Compared to last season, it’s completely differentArsenal captain Martin Odegaard feels he’s ‘back to normal’ now, after an unusual season of injuries in 2025/26.
- Arsenal women injury update ahead of BarcelonaArsenal Women have mixed injury news before Barcelona, with one expected return offset by fresh concerns and several players still facing fitness checks.