Arsenal can solve their William Saliba problem for just £7m

Now that the ambitious pursuit of Vinicius Junior is over, Arsenal can turn their attention back towards making improvements in various areas of their squad, not just in one major position.

The Gunners still have a lot to do this summer - strengthening the left wing is not the only thing that is going to bolster Mikel Arteta's side's chances of retaining their Premier League crown. William Saliba, whose influence on the Spaniard's team is greater than almost everyone, may not feature at all until December.

Thus, Andrea Berta desperately needs to recruit a central defender or a right-back before the window is up. It seems as though the Italian is aware of this necessity, although a move on this front doesn't appear to be imminent when it ought to be.

Ezri Konsa has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates, but Aston Villa are said to be demanding around £60 million for the England international, and given they've already banked £117 million on one player this summer, they have no reason to budge.

This prospective fee is completely unjustifiable for a 28-year-old centre-back and it would eat into their forward budget; Arsenal must therefore look elsewhere.

Fortunately for Berta and Arteta, a long-term target might just have become available for a modest price.

Arsenal should move for Arnau Martinez

Arsenal beat Girona 4-1 last weekend in Spain in a pre-season friendly. While the attention was on the Gunners' returning stars and new signing Christos Tzolis, scouts employed by the North London club reportedly had their eyes glued to someone else.

Arnau Martinez started for the Segunda Division side at right-back and impressed. Not only did he rise highest to nod home Girona's consolation goal, but he also looked comfortable defensively throughout.

The Gunners reportedly used this match as something of a scouting mission, carefully observing every move the player made.

Arsenal have been linked with Martinez in the past, indicating that the North Londoners have kept tabs on the player's development. The Spaniard had a purported €16 million (£14 million) release clause in his contract last term, but this has been cut to €8 million (£7 million) following Girona's relegation, according to SportsBoom.

With so much work to do elsewhere, this feels like a convenient transfer that can be put in motion quickly.

Martinez is an impressive young talent who has been playing regularly for Girona across the back four since the age of 17. He's long been mooted as a target for big clubs, but has instead remained in Catalonia, gradually continuing his development.

Exceptional in possession, boasting an excellent range of passing, Gunners fans may remember the 23-year-old from the Champions League clash against Girona in the 2024/25 season. Martinez started at right-back, and comfortably dealt with an ageing Raheem Sterling.

On the ball, Martinez would replicate some of the build-up value Arsenal will lose without Saliba. Off the ball, there are still certain aspects to his game that need improvement, but he's physically robust enough to compete in the Premier League.

He has the perfect portfolio of being both young and experienced, with six full seasons of senior football to his name before he's turned 24.

It's a no-brainer for Berta.

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