Arsenal make shock bid for “incredible” star; could sign his teammate too
According to recent reports, Arsenal has made contact with Manchester City and offered €16 million (£14 million) for Kyle Walker. Additionally, they have shown interest in Julian Alvarez, who is Walker’s teammate.
Despite Mikel Arteta’s plan to play Jurrien Timber as a right-back next season, Arsenal has been linked with Ivan Fresneda, a player Arteta has always admired. There are rumors that Fresneda has approached Real Valladolid for a potential transfer, and his relegation from La Liga has lowered his release clause to just €20 million (£17 million).
Moreover, journalist Ben Jacobs suggests that Arsenal might be interested in signing Joao Cancelo. Jacobs mentioned that it would be intriguing to see if Manchester City would negotiate a deal with Arsenal, as a year ago, City was open to doing business with Arsenal, not considering them a title contender. Arsenal would be keen to explore the possibility of signing Cancelo.
According to a report from Nacional (via Football365), contact has been made with Manchester City regarding a proposed €16 million (£14 million) deal for Walker. Arteta appears to be targeting several players from his former club for potential transfers.
While Arsenal is interested in Alvarez, it could prove challenging to secure his transfer as Pep Guardiola values the Argentine and is unwilling to let him go.
In contrast, Walker’s contract situation makes it a “easier case to solve” for a potential deal, as he only has one year remaining on his current contract with Manchester City.
Although Walker’s potential move to Arsenal might raise eyebrows, given his past association with Tottenham Hotspur, his talent as a defender is undeniable. He received praise for his “absolutely incredible” performance for England in the World Cup quarterfinal against France, where he effectively nullified the threat posed by Kylian Mbappe.
Having won five Premier League titles and making 27 appearances last season, the 31-year-old right-back is accustomed to competing at the highest level. However, if Arteta aims to develop a long-term project at Arsenal, he should focus on signing younger players. Approving a transfer for Walker, despite his talent, may not align with the club’s long-term vision.