Italian giants prepare €20m offer for Arsenal star; Arteta plots move for Liverpool, Chelsea midfield target
Arsenal duo Takehiro Tomiyasu and Bukayo Saka
Inter Milan are reportedly ready to make an offer for Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who Mikel Arteta is happy to sell for the right price.
The Japan international struggled with injuries last season and as a result, he lost his place in the Gunner’s starting XI. Now, with the arrival of Jurrien Timber, he is expected to fall further down the pecking order.
Overall, Tomiyasu made just six starts last season, a significant reduction on the 20 he made in the previous campaign.
As a result, a move away from Arsenal may be the best thing for Tomiyasu. He has previously flourished in the Serie A with Bologna, so it’s thought he would be open to joining Inter.
Arsenal are looking to sell several players as Arteta looks to bring in a new defensive midfielder. The London club have already spent big on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Timber, so they need to sell before sanctioning any more major incomings.
Folarin Balogun is one player they are willing to sell, along with Jorginho and potentially Thomas Partey.
It now seems that Tomiyasu can be added to that list. Arsenal already have ample cover for the Japanese right-back, with Ben White and Timber capable of playing in that position.
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Inter prepare €20m Tomiyasu bid
According to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, Inter are planning to launch a bid worth €20m (approx. £17.3m) for Tomiyasu.
That is unlikely to be enough, though, with Arsenal only willing to entertain offers in the region of €35m (approx. £30.2m) for the right-back.
Inter are desperate to bring in a new right-back this summer after selling Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain and manager Simone Inzaghi sees Tomiyasu as a viable option. It remains to be seen whether they can come to an agreement with Arsenal, though.
As mentioned, the Gunners are looking to move players on as Arteta looks to bring in a new defensive midfielder before the transfer window slams shut.
One player they could potentially make a move for is Southampton’s Romeo Lavia. Liverpool and Chelsea have both made bids worth £45m and £48m respectively for the Belgian.
Liverpool are expected to come back in for the £50m-rated Southampton star after missing out on Moises Caicedo, though, so he is definitely a player to watch over the next few days.
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