Arsenal: 6 right-back transfer targets ahead of deadline

It isn’t over until the fat lady sings! With Arsenal managing to land five new signings this summer, the parking meter still has a few minutes left for the club to pick up their final few items at the shop and donate some clothing to charity.

In other words, buy a few players and sell a few players before the transfer deadline closes. Good, glad we clarified that.

And what is left for Arsenal to do? Well, any further business is contingent on sales occurring first, and in the case of that happening, a right-back and a striker are on the cards.

Another central midfielder wouldn’t go amiss, especially if Ainsley Maitland-Niles is sold, but beggars can’t be choosers in such situations.

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Arsenal: 6 right-back transfer targets ahead of deadline as Mikel Arteta eyes further additions in summer window

Focussing on right-back, one could argue that Arsenal currently have four on the books. Maitland-Niles does not see himself as a defender so he can be exempt from the conversation, not least as he will likely be needed in midfield with numbers light, meaning there are three to choose from.

Nobody is exactly enthused at the options.

Calum Chambers is the pick of the lot and enjoyed a strong end to last season as he usurped Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares in the pecking order, yet the jury is still out on whether he’s of a standard desired to be first choice at Arsenal. The overwhelming consensus is no.

As for Bellerin, he is the most likely to be leaving as all parties search for an amicable conclusion, while Cedric is of interest to clubs on loan but would rather stay and fight for his place in north London.

Nobody will be brought in unless at least one departs, but who is on the wishlist? While that’s been kept mostly under wraps, there are a few Arsenal should, could, and already are on the lookout for this summer.

1. Ridle Baku – Wolfsburg

Age: 23
Contract expiry: 2025
Rumoured fee: £25m-£30m

Ridle Baku has taken over the mantle of flavour of the month. The ‘cool’ choice at right-back is many supporters’ pick despite few of them having even seen him play a single minute of football.

Fortunately for all who like the idea of his signature, it’s merited.

Boundless energy and instinctive yet intelligent choice of runs, the German has shot to prominence after being snapped up by Wolfsburg from Mainz for £7.5m in October last year. Due to his solid distribution, he adds a surprising degree of creativity and playmaking to his side’s attacks.

Progressive passes from deep as well and lightening quick dribbles with the ball, his usage in build-up play would be of strong allure to Arteta who wants an option in that area to open the spaces up in attack and reduce the lopsided reliance that is created through Tierney’s brilliance.

If Arsenal aim to transition into a more counter-pressing side with a high backline, someone of Baku’s ferocity and athleticism would be of great value. Naturally a central midfielder, he also suits the preference towards having a full-back to join into central in different phases as he is strong in the half-spaces around both boxes.

Expensive? Probably. Talented? Definitely.

2. Dodo – Shakhtar Donetsk

Age: 22
Contract expiry: 2025
Rumoured fee: £30m

A Brazilian in Ukraine. A common feature of Shakhtar Donetsk’s recruitment policy, you have to give them credit where it is due as they repeatedly snap up brilliant talents from South America at cheap prices before selling them on for a profit.

Considering Bayern Munich have seen bids rejected in the past for – the most definitely not extinct – Dodo, his stock across Europe is high.

With superb technical ability and blistering pace, the attack-minded 22-year-old suits a side who want to see plenty of possession and adopt a high attacking line, something Arteta is more keen to implement this season. Dodo would immediately life the technical ceiling down the right hand side, a trait that has abandoned the current options in the squad.

He won’t come cheap though, something that given Arsenal’s expenditure already this summer will likely prove to be a stumbling block even with sales sanctioned between now and the end of the window.

Should the Ukrainian side not qualify for the Champions League, however, there may be room to negotiate.

3. Max Aarons – Norwich

Age: 21
Contract expiry: 2024
Rumoured fee: £25m-30m

It’s hard to look beyond the fee, one that has been in and around the £30m mark all summer but may well increase as the clock ticks on in the window.

The later Norwich have to find a replacement, unless they seek an internal solution, could see them demand more than previously while the sale of Emi Buendia to Aston Villa has ensured the bank balance needn’t be bolstered with further big-money sales. They’re in a strong position.

As for Aarons’ ability, if he was inviting as a signing last summer, he’s even more so now. The extra year in the Championship has aided his development and he comes across as a more physically able, mature defender than 12 months ago.

That adds to his blistering pace, dynamic penalty box entries and devastating take-on ability, all of which would be welcome additions to the Arsenal right-back slot.

Being as young as he is and with the potential to improve even further, he’d be worth the outlay. Any gaps in his quality are opportunities to improve, not areas to be fearful of.

If Arsenal can spend £30m on a backup goalkeeper, surely they can spare a few quid for a starting full-back? Maybe. Maybe not.

4. Emerson Royal – Barcelona

Age: 22
Contract expiry: 2024
Rumoured fee: Potential swap deal

By no means an attacking right-back, Emerson Royal would arrive as the complementary option to Kieran Tierney on the left and take up many of the similar positions that Chambers would, were this to be the route Arteta opts for.

Using Brentford as an example, Arsenal were hideously reliant of the Scot down the left flank with Tierney having the third most advanced average position in the team after Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe.

Chambers, meanwhile, took his place in the back three when Arsenal were in possession.

Emerson is someone who can move into a midfield slot with ease and who has superb all-round defensive qualities. The Brazilian tackles, blocks, intercepts and distributes to a more than decent standard but rarely contributes meaningfully in attack.

As talk of a potential swap deal with Bellerin heading in the other direction is mooted, this is a move that Arsenal are considering as a solution to their current situation.

5. Kieran Trippier – Atletico Madrid

Age: 30
Contract expiry: 2023
Rumoured fee: £50m or swap

£50m….or a swap?

It’s an interesting scenario ongoing, as there is quite some disparity between a considerable outlay such as that and a swap, not least since the player being swapped is Bellerin.

Manchester United had tried to bring Kieran Trippier back to the Premier League to no avail, seeing a £10m bid rejected as Atletico held out for closer to £35m. Now deciding to stick to the defender’s release clause of £50m, it is interesting that proposed swap moves have come to light.

The Athletic mentioned that it was an idea in the offing between Arsenal and Atletico (with nothing advanced) – and it’s one that should stay as mere speculation.

At 30 years old, Trippier signing for Arsenal would be entirely against the recruitment policy across this window. It would be another ageing player on big wages who may not be contributing anywhere near what he will be getting paid for when he’s 32 or so years old.

An excellent distributor both in live play and with dead balls, as well as a strong tackler, there is no denying the positive aspects of Trippier’s ability. It just goes against all the squad building methods put in place so far.

6. Noussair Mazraoui – Ajax

Age: 23
Contract expiry: 2022
Rumoured fee: £10m

How is he still at Ajax?

Noussair Mazraoui has been one of the standout defenders across Europe over the past few seasons and with the deadline fast approaching, it’s remarkable that he hasn’t been pinched by any number of clubs this summer.

Yet to pen a new contract, the 23-year-old’s deal expires in less than 12 months and unless there is some certainty behind the scenes that he will be extending his stay in the Dutch capital, he remains a superb option at a fraction of his worth.

Wonderfully well-rounded and boasting technical security and flexibility to adapt to numerous systems and positions, the Moroccan is in the top 95th percentile or higher for passes into the final third, progressive passes, tackles won, pressures, ball recoveries and blocks.

All his numbers come with the obvious ‘Ajax are the best team in the country’ caveat, but as a full-back who can speed up Arsenal’s progression through the thirds and shift into midfield to open multiple lanes of attack and allow Thomas Partey greater freedom to advance, it’s a genuine surprise he hasn’t been mentioned as much.

Any flaws? He’s not the quickest. Not detrimental by any means but the only noticeable chink in the armour.

This contract seems to be heading one way and the talk is that he may want to stay, but nothing has been signed. Strike while the iron is hot, and all that jazz.