Arsenal are “ready to pay” the price needed to sign a Premier League star who manager Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta both want at the Emirates, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.
With no games to worry about this weekend, Arsenal are currently anticipating their most important game of the season so far – a blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Ligue 1 champions PSG.
Arsenal blew away Real Madrid in the last round, knocking Carlo Ancelotti’s 15-time European champions out in the quarter-finals via a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, and they’ll take plenty of encouragement from what was a truly dominant display over two legs against one of the continent’s most feared sides.
Luis Enrique’s side pose an equally tough test, if not more so, having enjoyed an excellent Champions League campaign to date whilst remaining unbeaten in Ligue 1.
PSG are the media’s favourites to win this year’s Champions League, but you can never discount an Arsenal side absolutely brimming with quality.
Away from the pitch, Berta and co are already planning for next season by identifying the club’s preferred summer signings. According to some reports, Arsenal want to reinforce the goalkeeping department, full-back area and in midfield, whilst also potentially signing a new left-winger, right-winger and striker.
A new centre-back to rotate with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba isn’t out of the question either, with Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen reliably believed to be a top target for the Gunners.
Arsenal have held talks with Huijsen’s representatives ahead of the summer window, according to multiple media sources, after his excellent debut season in the Premier League where he’s seriously impressed under Andoni Iraola.
The 20-year-old, who actually scored against north London rivals Tottenham earlier this season, will be allowed to leave for £50 million – the value of his release clause.
Now, as per Ornstein in a Q&A for The Athletic, Arsenal are “ready to pay” Huijsen’s release clause after negotiating with his camp recently. It is also believed that Arteta and Berta are both huge fans of the ex-Serie A centre-back, but they still face stiff competition from rivals.
“It is strong and they remain in contention,” said Ornstein on Arsenal’s interest in Huijsen.
“They are among the clubs (with Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham) who have met his representatives, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta keen to sign the Spain international. Whether or not Arsenal win the race is unclear because it’s still open and I’m not aware of a front-runner between them, Chelsea and Liverpool to date. Real Madrid has always carried huge appeal to Huijsen, we hear, but so far they haven’t moved on this situation, and I’m sure he is philosophical about that. Previously, I think Kiwior exiting Arsenal was highly possible… that might be less certain following his recent rise to prominence.
“Either way, Huijsen would play a lot of football at Arsenal, and they can now show him many examples of how, under Arteta, players have developed extremely well and become top-level talents. Now, this doesn’t mean he will opt for them; there are pros and cons to each of the suitors, all of whom are ready to pay the release clause. Huijsen and Bournemouth want it sorted sooner rather than later. Let’s see what he decides.”
The Spain international was handed his first senior caps in a very competitive national team as well this season, highlighting just how well he’s performed, and Huijsen now looks set to be one of this summer’s most in-demand defenders.
