Arsenal are set to target Max Aarons to replace Hector Bellerin, with the Norwich City right-back set to cost £25 million or more.
According to the print edition of the Sunday Mirror, as relayed by the Express, Arsenal are set to double down on their interest in Norwich City right-back Max Aarons. The Canaries full-back is seen as a suitable replacement for Hector Bellerin, who seems to have run his course in North London and could be sold this summer. Aarons could cost £25 million or more.
Arsenal are shaping their transfer plans according to how Mikel Arteta wants his team to look for the upcoming season. Alongside technical director Edu, the Spanish manager is targeting players of a younger age profile to build for the future. Having already agreed to sign Ben White, Arsenal are looking at further defensive reinforcements.
Central midfield is still considered a priority this summer, with Ruben Neves and Manuel Locatelli being targetted. A backup left-back in Nuno Tavares has already arrived from Benfica, while Albert Sambi Lokonga looks close to signing as a cover for midfield.
The club are also aware of the situation at right-back, with Bellerin increasingly looks like departing in this window. Inter Milan are currently the club showing keen interest in the Spaniard, while Barcelona and PSG had kept tabs in the past. Inter is considered the likely destination, leaving Arsenal in need of a suitable replacement.
The Gunners have Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers in their ranks, but Arteta looks for a player with different attributes than the duo. Max Aarons is currently considered to be that player, and he certainly could fit the profile for the North London side.
At only 21-years-old, Aarons has good experience playing football in England. He already has two Championship titles and also a full Premier League season under his belt with Norwich before. Aarons played 45 times in the Championship last season, scoring twice and assisting five goals. He is considered one of the Canaries’ prized assets and could be sold to raise funds this summer.
However, Norwich may not need to sell him and have the cushion of a long-term contract with Aarons, which lasts till 2024. Having already sold Emiliano Buendia to Aston Villa earlier in the window, it will be a blow for their Premier League aspirations to sell two star players quickly.
The Canaries have withstood high profile interest in Aarons before. Barcelona and Manchester United have registered interest in the right-back previously, but Aarons eventually stayed at Carrow Road to see his development through. He may now be ready for a move elsewhere.
If Norwich do decide to cash in, they are likely to demand a fee of £25 million from suitors. Arsenal should have no problems raising funds for Aarons, with Bellerin’s sale expected to generate cash flow. Will the youngster be the right replacement for the Spaniard and perfect right-back for Arsenal remains the question.
