Arsenal are reportedly considering a summer move for 22-year-old Turkish defender Mert Muldur as a possible full-back reinforcement.
According to a report by The Athletic, Arsenal’s search for a full-back has taken them to Serie A, with Mert Muldur the latest player to have popped up on their radar. The Premier League giants are weighing up a possible swoop for the 22-year-old Sassuolo defender heading into the summer transfer window.
Mert Muldur has made tremendous progress since arriving in Serie A by joining Sassuolo from Rapid Wien in the summer of 2019. Over the last couple of seasons, the 22-year-old has amassed 54 appearances for the Neroverdi, chipping in with two goals and four assists as well.
His versatility is one of Muldur’s great strengths, with the player able to play as either a right-back or a left-back equally adeptly. That helped him nail down a spot for Turkey at UEFA Euro 2020 while also helping him emerge on the radar of Arsenal now, heading into the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are set to dip their toes in the transfer market for a right-back as well as a left-back this summer amid widespread speculation linking Hector Bellerin with a summer exit. In addition, with Sead Kolasinac set to depart the Emirates, Mikel Arteta needs to be given a viable backup option for Kieran Tierney in the form of a summer arrival.
To that end, the Gunners have been linked with a bevy of full-backs, with Nuno Tavares the latest as far as left-backs are concerned, while Tyler Adams is one of the targets for the right-back slot. And Muldur could well be a one-stop solution for Arsenal, considering his ability to play as either full-back with ease.
Muldur is not the only Turkish defender linked with Arsenal, who have also shown an interest in his compatriot and fellow full-back Zeki Celik. The 22-year-old, though, could well be the way to go as Arsenal look to overhaul their squad without loosening their purse strings a whole lot.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been heavily linked with Muldur’s Sassuolo teammate Manuel Locatelli. As for the young defender, it now remains to be seen if Arsenal end their interest in other full-backs to make a serious move for Muldur or if he stays put within Serie A with Sassuolo.
