Hector Bellerin finds himself at a career crossroads with Paris Saint-Germain keen on signing the Spaniard this summer, as reported by football.london.
Bayern Munich and Juventus are also monitoring the situation and Arsenal could be persuaded into selling the right-back if the money raised helps them fund moves for transfer targets of their own.
Until the emergence of the interest in Bellerin, it appeared that Ainsley Maitland-Niles would be the right-back on his way out of the Emirates Stadium this summer. Now, the Gunners could keep Maitland-Niles as their first choice in the position. Arsenal may be tempted to look at other right-backs, though, given Maitland-Niles may be required to fill in across other positions. Here are three they could target should Bellerin depart.
Max Aarons
Club: Norwich City
Age: 20
Nationality: England
Tipped as another England right-back for the future, Aarons did enough in his maiden Premier League season to suggest he belongs at that level. Previously linked with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich might now be more willing to strike a cut-price deal following their relegation. Raiding the clubs who drop out of the top tier is a transfer policy which has served Liverpool well down the years, with both Andy Robertson and Georginio Wijnaldum picked up from relegated clubs.
There is no denying Aarons is still raw. He has still to add some defensive fibre to his game, but the 20-year-old’s effectiveness as an attacking outlet is clear to anyone who has watched him for the Canaries. Aarons is the epitome of a modern full-back and not too dissimilar in terms of his profile to Bellerin.
If Arsenal’s transfer strategy is to identify potential and harness it, a move for Aarons would make sense. Mikel Arteta’s coaching has already benefited Maitland-Niles in his development and the Spaniard could do similar for Aarons. The Emirates Stadium might be the perfect place for the youngster to take the next step.
Elseid Hysaj
Club: Napoli
Age: 26
Nationality: Albania
If Maitland-Niles is to be viewed as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back this season, they might desire someone with a bit more experience to serve beneath him. Hysaj is an experienced head having been an important figure for Napoli over a number of seasons, proving himself both at Champions League level and at the top end of Serie A.
Stylistically, Hysaj is very different to Bellerin in that he is a defensive-minded full back. The Albanian is tactically aware and would give Arteta another option at the back. The signing of Hysaj might even give the Gunners the option of playing a back three with the 26-year-old on the right side of the central trio to cover for Maitland-Niles.
Hysaj’s stock has fallen in recent times, with Gennaro Gattuso favouring Giovanni Di Lorenzo as Napoli’s first choice right-back last season. The Albanian’s contract at the club will also expire next summer, with contract talks between the two parties at a standstill. This could be to Arsenal’s benefit, though.
Bouna Sarr
Club: Marseille
Age: 28
Nationality: France
Last season was a positive one for Marseille and the performances of Sarr contributed to that. The 28-year-old was impressive throughout the campaign for Andre Villas-Boas’ side, demonstrating good leadership qualities and versatility in a number of positions across the defence and in midfield.
Marseille find themselves in financial difficulty this summer and so it has been reported that they might be willing to sell Sarr for as little as £15million. This means Arsenal could potentially sell Bellerin, promote Maitland-Niles and buy Sarr to be a squad option and still have some money left over to fund other moves.
At 28 years old, Sarr might not be the perfect fit for Arsenal’s transfer strategy of buying young and harnessing potential, but the Marseille man’s experience and leadership on the pitch could be valuable to Arteta who also needs strong heads, as well as good footballers, in his team.
