Arsenal Transfer News: Battle On For £29.5m Ace | Wenger Eyes Croatian Defender

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Gooner Mac bring us news of Arsenal’s interest in Aymeric Laporte and Sime Vrsaljko.

Battle on for Laporte

First up and the Mirror are reporting that we face a real fight to land Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte with Barcelona believed to be favourites to sign the highly-rated centre-back.

Laporte has been earning rave reviews in La Liga this season after cementing his place in the first team and has been a rock at the back as Bilbao chase down the last remaining Champions League qualification spot.

His impressive displays have understandably caught the eye of some of Europe’s top clubs with the Mirror claiming that Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old in action on several times in recent months.

However, it appears we could miss out with the report suggesting that Barca have made it clear they are willing to meet Laporte’s £29.5m release clause after making him a key target to replace Carles Puyol at the heart of their defence next season.

The Catalans are allowed to buy players again this summer after seeing their transfer ban temporarily suspended pending an appeal, so they are likely to be busy planning for the future in case the two-year ban is enforced again.

There is little doubt we’ll need to bring in another centre-back if Thomas Vermaelen leaves this summer, and even if he stays there’s a strong argument for suggesting we need defensive reinforcements, but I can’t see the boss agreeing to pay nearly £30m for a relatively unproven youngster, so I’m not getting my hopes up on seeing Laporte in an Arsenal shirt any time soon.

Wenger eyes Croatian defender

Next up and talkSPORT are reporting that Arsene Wenger has identified Croatian defender Sime Vrsaljko as a potential replacement for Bacary Sagna this summer.

Sagna’s contract is up in June and there is still no sign of him penning an extension so it looks like the boss will have a huge void to fill in the squad unless things change over the coming weeks.

Several names have been linked with a move to the Emirates as potential replacement and the latest is Vrsaljko, who currently plays for Genoa following his move from Dinamo Zagreb last summer.

He’s been impressing in Serie A this season and talkSPORT claim Wenger has sent scouts to keep a close eye on the 22-year-old in recent months, but it looks like we’ll have to fend off some serious competition with AC Milan, Fiorentina and Inter Milan all keen on keeping him in Italy.

I still hold out hope that Sagna will sign an extension as I’d be gutted to see him leave. He’s one of our most consistent performers and he’ll be a difficult player to replace if he does end up going.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news

My preferred option would be Seamus Coleman but Everton are going to demand big money, so I’ll leave it to the boss and his team of scouts to decide who’s best to fill the Frenchman’s boots.

So there’s your latest transfer news. What centre-back do you think we should sign? Will Sagna stay or go? Share your views below.