Arsenal are reportedly ready to make an offer of £10 million for Sassuolo’s Turkish full-back Mert Muldur as a replacement for Hector Bellerin.
According to journalist Ekrem Konur on Twitter, Arsenal have identified Sassuolo right-back Mert Muldur as their pick to replace Hector Bellerin this summer and are ready to table an opening bid of £10 million for the 22-year-old.
Muldur came through the ranks at Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna and went on to make close to 50 first-team appearances for the club before switching to Sassuolo in the summer of 2019. Since arriving in Italy, the young full-back hasn’t always been a regular starter but has seen a fair amount of game time, with 54 appearances in two years, in which he has two goals and four assists.
Muldur was also part of Turkey’s ill-fated UEFA Euro 2020 campaign, where he featured at left-back on occasions, highlighting his versatility. The youngster has seemingly done enough during his time in Italy to convince one of the biggest clubs in England to take a punt on him as Arsenal are now lining up a move for the 22-year-old.
Arsenal are in the market for a new right-back this summer as Hector Bellerin’s time at the Emirates Stadium is fast approaching an end. The Spanish international has been heavily linked with an exit, with Serie A champions Inter Milan touted to be his next destination. Should the former Barcelona academy trainee depart, manager Mikel Arteta will be left short on options in the right-back slot.
Cedric Soares hasn’t quite convinced during his time at the north London outfit, whereas Calum Chambers, despite impressing at right-back at the backend of the last season, is not a natural in the position. So, bringing in a new natural full-back on the right side becomes imperative for Arsenal, who have already strengthened their left-back slot with the signing of Nuno Tavares.
A number of names ranging from Everton’s Jonjoe Kenny to PSG’s Thilo Kehrer have been mooted. However, it seems like that the north London giants have narrowed in on Muldur as the preferred option to replace Bellerin should he end up signing for Inter Milan this summer. To that end, Arsenal are said to be preparing an offer worth £10 million for the Turkish international.
With still two years left on his contract, it will be interesting to see whether Sassuolo will be willing to do business for the offered sum or demand more from the Gunners.
