Tagliafico a target?
Arsenal have reportedly tabled an £8m bid for Ajax and Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico.
According to The Sun, citing Italian media, the Gunners are “are keen to bring in the left-back in the new year as their injury crisis continues”.
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Arsenal boss Unai Emery is without regular left-backs Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac, leaving the Spaniard scouring the Continent for reliable defenders.
Monreal on the decline
Newcastle United have also been linked to Tagliafico in recent weeks, but The Sun says that Arsenal have jumped to the front of the queue amid glowing reports from the side’s scouts about the South American stopper’s performance for Ajax.
Tagliafico, who was part of the Argentina squad at the World Cup in Russia, is known for his no-nonsense approach.
Emery is aware that the 32-year-old Monreal is in the twilight of his career and sees 26-year-old Tagliafico “as a long-term replacement”.
It’s not known if Ajax have responded to Arsenal’s alleged £8m offer, but the Daily Express says that the Dutch club “anticipate a bidding war...which could inflate his modest valuation”.
Roma reject bid
It seems that Tagliafico isn’t the only target on Emery’s radar. According to Turkish outlet Aksam, the Arsenal manager has also tabled a £26m bid for Roma star Cengiz Under.
The 21-year-old Turkish winger has been a shining light for the Italian club this season, and Manchester United and Barcelona are also believed to be monitoring his progress.
Roma knocked back Arsenal’s opening bid in the belief that others will come calling in January, and are said to have set their asking price at £44m.
Priced out of the market
Finally, the Daily Mail says that Arsenal “are being priced out of signing British players” as the club cuts back on its transfer outlay.
The London side’s transfer committee - headed by Sven Mislintat - have been “surprised by the costs” of trying to land homegrown players, the newspaper reports.
One of those players is Fulham’s Tom Cairney, with the Gunners reportedly put off by the fee and the wage demands being made for the midfielder. Arsenal are focusing their scouting manpower instead on identifying overseas targets, it is claimed.