Arsenal are reportedly exploring a £20 million deal to sign Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico to strengthen the left side of their defence.
According to The Sun, Arsenal have reignited their interest in Nicolas Tagliafico. Mikel Arteta is keen to add a new left-back to his Arsenal squad along with the search for budget options. The search has led the club to Nicolas Tagliafico, who could be signed from Ajax for £20 million.
Mikel Arteta is keen for Arsenal to use Bukayo Saka in attack and be freed from the responsibility to play on the left in defence. The Gunners have been linked with several names up until now, including Nicolas Tagliafico a number of times before this.
But, with the budget constraints likely to be stricter in the wake of losses suffered due to the suspension of football, Arteta could veto the need to sign a winger and just push Saka in attack. Tagliafico, with all his experience in Europe playing for Ajax along with his international exposure with Argentina, would be the perfect fit at Arsenal.
The 27-year-old is also very vocal at the back, which is something the current Arsenal backline is missing. Tagliafico could add much to the leadership factor if he arrives at Emirates and for the £20 million reported, he would be a bargain; not to forget that freeing up Saka to attack would make him an additional signing in semantics.
Nicolas Tagliafico has already won it all in Netherlands, winning the treble with Ajax in the 2018-19 campaign, which was his first at the club. The 27-year-old’s prolific nature despite the position he plays in makes him a viable option for all top teams, especially ones who like to control the possession and tempo in the game.
The Argentine had 5 goals and 7 assists in the curtailed 2019-20 campaign and his ability to play as a centre-back makes him a useful utility defender; someone Arteta could have used this season.
Nicolas Tagliafico: Is the only defender to have earned a perfect 10 WhoScored rating in a Champions League match this season, achieving the feat in Ajax’s 3-0 win over Lille in September pic.twitter.com/Vazp24qglF
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 22, 2020
Contracted to Ajax till 2022, Tagliafico is unlikely to stick around beyond the summer and has hinted at wanting a new challenge soon. Arsenal would be a step down in terms of European competitions, something which could make this a difficult decision, especially considering that he is in the prime age period of his footballing career.
An experienced international who has played at the top for £20 million – Arteta couldn’t have asked for any better. The entire story now depends on whether they can convince Tagliafico that Arsenal are building a project worth being a part of.
