Arsenal is reportedly increasing their interest in signing a £42m rated defender to strengthen a key area of their squad. However, they might face competition from Manchester United for his signature, according to reports.
Gunners’ Summer Plans After Man Utd Draw
After falling significantly behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, Arsenal is likely to finish second for the third consecutive season.
The decision not to sign a striker in January has drawn criticism. Former player Owen Hargreaves recently suggested that Mikel Arteta’s team could win major trophies if they were to bring in a top-quality forward.
‘Sign someone whose main job is to score goals. You have a great goalkeeper, the best defense in the league, and a fantastic midfield, especially with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.’
‘Go and get a striker and a central midfielder. Then you can win everything.’
However, reports from Spain suggest that signing a high-quality right-back is also a priority for Arsenal this summer. They have reportedly increased their pursuit of Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries.
It is claimed that three Premier League clubs are keenly interested in Dumfries, who could become one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe this summer, with Manchester United and Chelsea also interested.
The defender is considered a key target for Arsenal, and a summer move from the Italian club is increasingly likely. Inter Milan are expected to demand around €50m (£42m) if he decides to leave.
“Monster” Dumfries: A Top Attacking Full-Back
If Arsenal is looking for an attacking right-back, Dumfries could be an ideal fit. He is highly ranked in several key attacking metrics compared to other full-backs over the last year.
| Statistic | Average per 90 |
|---|---|
| Non-penalty goals | 0.24 (99th percentile) |
| Shots total | 1.82 (98th percentile) |
| Touches (Attacking penalty area) | 4.32 (99th percentile) |
Journalist Alan Rzepa has described Dumfries as a ‘monster’, and Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley has praised his attacking contributions.
Injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have sometimes left Jurrien Timber as Arteta’s only right-back option this season. This highlights the need for more depth in this position this summer, and Dumfries’ performances in Italy suggest he could be an excellent addition.
Vihaan Mehrotra