Arsenal are looking to sign a player straight from Spurs as talks begin for an exciting transfer.
Arsenal have reportedly made a move to sign a senior player straight from Spurs for the first time in 49 years.
The Gunners faced a big disappointment on Thursday when it was revealed that Vinicius Junior signed a huge new six-year contract with Real Madrid. The 26-year-old was entering the last year of his deal, and talks had stalled, but after a urgent meeting at the club’s training ground, they reached an agreement.
Arsenal were ready to step in and were believed to have the money to bring him to the Emirates Stadium, which would have been one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history. But now, they’ll need to look elsewhere to add new players this summer. So far, they’ve signed winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and seem close to signing Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes.
One area where Arsenal need more cover is center-back. William Saliba is expected to miss the start of the season after back surgery. Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera will likely be the main pair while Saliba’s out, with Piero Hincapie, who joined permanently after a loan, and Jurrien Timber also able to play there. But since Hincapie and Timber often played at full-back last season, manager Mikel Arteta wants a stronger long-term option in defense.
According to expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal want to make a stunning signing by going after Spurs captain Cristian Romero this summer. Romano says Arsenal have asked about Romero, but Spurs would rather sell him abroad. Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are both interested in the 28-year-old defender.
“I expect Arsenal to sign a centre-back,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “They’ve talked to Romero’s agents and asked for details. The relationship between Arsenal and Tottenham is complicated. It’s easier for Spurs to sell to Atletico Madrid. Tottenham don’t want to sell to Arsenal. It would take a special green light from Tottenham. We’ll see what happens.”
Atletico are currently the favorites to sign Romero and are negotiating with Spurs, while Inter Milan’s interest is paused as they try to sell Benjamin Pavard. However, if neither deal happens, Arsenal could still get involved.
The last senior player to join Arsenal after playing for Spurs was Sol Campbell, who left Spurs as a free agent in 2001 and shocked fans by signing for Arsenal. William Gallas moved the other way, from Arsenal to Spurs, nine years later. But the last direct transfer from Spurs to Arsenal was goalkeeper Pat Jennings back in 1977, after Spurs were relegated. Jennings made over 300 appearances for Arsenal before retiring, later playing for Spurs’ reserves as he prepared for the 1986 World Cup with Northern Ireland.