Arsenal
International Star Visits London Colney As Arsenal Close-In On 1st Summer Signing
Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner was at London Colney on Friday as Arsenal close-in on a free transfer deal for the experienced defender
The summer transfer window is now open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal are linked with Stephan Lichtsteiner…
Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner was at London Colney on Friday as Arsenal close-in on a free transfer deal for the experienced defender, according to the Evening Standard.
Unai Emery was confirmed as Arsene Wenger’s replacement last week and the Spaniard is expected to revamp his squad as he looks to get us back in the top four next season.
A new right-back is a priority as we have very little back-up behind Hector Bellerin after Mathieu Debuchy joined Saint-Etienne on a free transfer during the January window.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Calum Chambers filled-in on the rare occasion Bellerin was rested – which wasn’t often as the Spaniard made 46 appearances last season and played more minutes [4,131] than any other player.
So we desperately need someone to help ease the pressure next season and the Evening Standard are one of several media outlet reporting that Arsenal are closing-in on a deal to sign Lichtsteiner.
The 34-year-old is to leave Juventus on a free transfer following seven hugely successful seasons in Turin and the newspaper says he was at London Colney on Friday to discuss the finer details of a move to north London.
Terms are yet to be fully agreed but the report says further negotiations will take place over the weekend and a deal could be announced within the coming days which would see Lichtsteiner become our first signing of the summer.
The Switzerland captain is obviously coming towards the end of his career but he’ll be a hugely experienced squad player who will offer back-up and guidance to Bellerin.
His leadership and winning mentality will also be very useful within the dressing room at a time when Arsenal have been accused of lacking both qualities in recent years.
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We’ll have to wait and see how talks progress over the coming hours but I think Lichtsteiner would be a solid addition to the squad on a free transfer if we can get this deal over the line.
