Fabrizio Romano issues ‘exploring’ Arsenal transfer update after Gary Neville’s ‘big blow’ claim

Arsenal are set to ‘explore’ the transfer market as they look to replace Jurrien Timber, according to a report.

The Gunners were handed a huge blow during their season-opener with Nottingham Forest, with big-money summer signing Timber suffering a serious injury that is likely to keep him out for months - if not the season. Arsenal spend around £35million to snap up the versatile defender, but they now face going back into the market to replace him.

Mikel Arteta won’t want to be caught short as he and his side chase a Premier League title this season, and Timber’s absence does leave a gap, although perhaps more so at full-back given likely departures.

“They have just lost Timber to an ACL, haven’t they? That’s a big blow,” pundit Gary Neville said when discussing the injury. “Havertz, Timber and Rice are very good signings, they do improve them enormously. But obviously losing Timber – it was City I was banking on getting an injury, not Arsenal.”

In the wake of the injury blow, Arsenal are said to be considering a new signing, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano telling CaughtOffside: “As previously reported, Arsenal will explore the market for defenders after the serious and lengthy injury to Jurrien Timber. They will decide how to act soon, despite plenty of speculation emerging already about potential targets.

“RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan has always been on Arsenal’s list, he was plan B earlier this summer in case Timber didn’t end up joining. At the moment, however, Arsenal have not reactivated contacts to sign him, let’s see if that happens or not.

“Cancelo has been mentioned again as well, but as stated above, he is in advanced talks over joining Barcelona.”

Arsenal should be able to make another significant signing this summer, but they will likely have to sell players at some point given the presence of Financial Fair Play rules. Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are likely candidates, but the Gunners won’t be too concerned, given they can focus a little more on outgoings in January if needs be.