Arsenal ‘interested’ in Premier League defender as Fabrizio Romano issues update on Rob Holding ‘talks’

Arsenal fans have been sent a double transfer update as Mikel Arteta looks to find a replacement for the injured Jurrien Timber.

Arteta thought he had his defence all set up for this season after the big-money signing of Jurrien Timber, only for the versatile centre-back to suffer a long-term injury in his league debut. Arsenal must now find a solution, be it in the short term or long term, and that was highlighted by a poor defensive performance against Fulham over the weekend, with the Gunners drawing 2-2 at home.

Having spent well over £200million this summer, Arsenal may well be reluctant to spend another big chunk on a defender, especially given Timber will return at some point.

But they have still been linked with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, who would command a big transfer fee this summer amid reported interest from Chelsea.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport: “The Marc Guehi interest has been there for a while. I don’t know that it necessarily would combine well with any interest from Takehiro Tomiyasu from Palace because Palace have no intention to lose Guehi and value him very, very highly.

“Earlier in the window I was being told of a £60m valuation on him and to be honest at this stage of the window it has probably risen. Guehi himself would even have reservations about how he fits in with Gabriel, William Saliba, Ben White and Jurrien Timber over the course of the season.

“He definitely needs regular game time to get into the England squad and won’t want to be fighting for his spot on a weekly basis, even at a big club like that.”

That update comes amid another from Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed the latest on Arsenal’s bid to offload fringe defender Rob Holding. Romano tweeted: “Rob Holding, still expected to leave Arsenal in the final days of the transfer window. There are discussions now ongoing to make it happen #AFC Understand there are also Spanish clubs asking for conditions of Holding deal.”