December 28, (THEWILL) – Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in the summer transfer window, according to a new report from The Athletic. Manager Mikel Arteta has also confirmed the club’s plans to spend in January if the right deal comes along.
De Ligt, who moved to Bayern from Juventus in 2022 for £60 million, is seen as a long-term target for Arsenal as they look to bolster their defence. However, prising him away in January is seen as unrealistic. The Dutchman still has over four years remaining on his Bayern contract and is competing with the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernández for a starting spot.
Nonetheless, Arteta admitted in his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s clash with West Ham that Arsenal will look to spend if they can find the right signing. Injuries to key versatile defenders like Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu have left Arsenal short on options.
“We have certain targets, ideas if things happen,” Arteta told reporters. “If there is something that we can [do to] improve the squad and that need appears, and we cannot fulfil it with players here, we are always going to be open to doing that because we want to be stronger.”
Arsenal spent over £200 million last summer on new signings like Timber and Kai Havertz as they look to build on last season’s second-place finish. Currently second in the EPL table again, Arteta knows further squad reinforcements could help their title chances.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
