Arsenal push for Takehiro Tomiyasu deadline day transfer

Arsenal have discovered, more so than before, that they need to sign a right-back this summer. It speaks volumes of the issues plaguing the club at present that they have four options for the position and no suitable candidates.

With deadline day arriving and the 11PM cut off point fast approaching, there is little time to waste for Edu and co as the club sit rock bottom of the Premier League table after three rounds of fixtures.

Pressure is mounting on Mikel Arteta to turn things around in north London with calls for him to be sacked mounting with every passing day. The manner of defeat to Manchester City has sparked the furoue into overdrive.

Will a right-back help move the side back up the table? So long as they’re an improvement on Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin, Cedric Soares, and more wanted than Ainsley Maitland-Niles, then it certainly can’t help.

Arsenal pushing for Takehiro Tomiyasu transfer as Mikel Arteta eyes the 22-year-old from Bologna as his preferred right-back target before deadline day

As per The Athletic, Takehiro Tomiyasu appears to be that guy. The 22-year-old is a central defender by trade but has operated at right-back on a number of occasions, and fits the profile wanted by Arteta.

Someone who can tuck infield and build up as part of a back three, discussions are underway with Bologna to get a move wrapped up in time for the deadline. Arteta is a huge admirer of the Japan international and is pushing for this deal to come through. Any deal would be contingent on departures elsewhere, namely Bellerin and likely Maitland-Niles.

Tottenham had been keen on bringing the player in but they’ve since wrapped up a deal for Emerson Royal of Barcelona, who Arsenal had offered £8m plus Bellerin for.

Tomiyasu may not possess explosiveness down the line but standing at 6’2″, he is faster than most and physically suited to the Premier League. Someone who will work brilliantly in transition, his defending when running back to goal is very strong, possessing remarkable deceleration which helps him make strong and clean tackles.

Making an exceptional amount of blocks (99th percentile) and being rarely ever dribbled past (99th percentile), he is someone who could complement the more expansive style of Kieran Tierney on the left flank. Is he going to truly elevate Arsenal, though? That remains to be seen.

There is no mention of a price but earlier in the window when Spurs were locked in talks the fee in question was around £18m, which is unlikely to have changed dramatically.