Rumour Reel: Arsenal open Gimenez talks in bid to ease defensive crisis
Published:
Lee Gormley | August 19, 2016
Coral’s rumour reel
The Premier League action continues tonight in Friday night football and, with just under two weeks left of the summer transfer window, top-flight teams will be scrambling to get deals done swiftly before it slams shut.
Arsenal open Gimenez talks
After suffering a disappointing 4-3 defeat at the hands of Liverpool in their season opener, Arsenal are on the hunt for a new centre back to help ease their defensive crisis, with youngsters Rob Holding and Calum Chambers having started at the back last time out.
In a bid to bolster his rearguard for the campaign ahead, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has begun his pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, with the Uruguay international seen as the solution to his defensive nightmare at the Emirates.
As Arsenal open Gimenez talks, the Londoners will be hopeful of landing the 21-year-old centre back, but the youngster’s current employers are valuing him at a mammoth £56m, though it’s a fee the Gunners may have to fork out.
The capital club have only signed Holding from Bolton Wanderers and Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for £34m so far, with many fans growing increasingly frustrated, but Wenger could soon be welcoming a new, much-needed defender to his set-up.
Bravo to replace Hart at Etihad
Joe Hart’s future is still under the spotlight after new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola dropped the England stopper for the start of this season, opting instead for Argentine Willy Caballero in both the recent Premier League and European outings.
Guardiola may soon have a new man between the sticks though, with the Spaniard reportedly set to replace Hart at the Etihad with Barcelona and Chile international keeper Claudio Bravo this month.
The 33-year-old has been battling with German teammate Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the number one spot at the Nou Camp, but instead could soon be linking up with former Nou Camp coach Guardiola on the blue half of Manchester.
It’s believed that the Sky Blues will have to part with up to £17.4m in order to secure the South American’s signature, with Spanish champions Barca looking to capture Dutchman Jasper Cillessen as his immediate replacement.
Spurs up chase for Lopez
Another top-flight club in search of a new goalkeeper is Tottenham, with Mauricio Pochettino hoping to secure the signature of Espanyol’s Spanish shot stopper Pau Lopez on a permanent contract.
Although, Spurs have reportedly already failed in their attempts to land the 21-year-old for £3m this summer, and will possibly have to settle for a season-long loan deal from La Liga instead, with an option to buy next year.
Lopez has come through Espanyol’s youth ranks and is regarded as one of their brightest talents, and Tottenham’s interest comes after their number one and France skipper Hugo Lloris was injured in their Premier League opener.
The French goal guard limped off during the eventual 1-1 draw with Everton and is expected to be out for several weeks, with the Londoners therefore upping their pursuit of talented youngster Lopez as his potential stand in.
