Arsenal and Tottenham reportedly remain locked in a battle to sign Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Serie A outfit Bologna.
According to a report from Italian publication Tuttosport, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are pushing to sign Bologna’s versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu in the ongoing transfer window.
Tomiyasu arrived at Bologna two years ago from Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden and has made a solid impression. Able to play at right-back or centre-back, the Japanese international has impressed with his versatile nature and physicality. This has put him on the radars of Tottenham Hotspur, who have been pursuing his signing for a while now.
Indeed, ever since Fabio Paratici was appointed the sporting director, Tomiyasu has been a player that has been firmly on the radars of the Lilywhites. And understandably so, given how their defence underperformed last season. While Cristian Romero has arrived from Atalanta to replace Toby Alderweireld, adding another defender wouldn’t be the worst idea for the north Londoners.
Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez have not been consistent enough, while Japhet Tanganga has been constantly bogged down by injuries. So, someone like Tomiyasu would be a viable addition for Tottenham. More so, considering that he could be easily used at right-back as Serge Aurier gets linked with an exit this summer.
However, Tottenham are having to battle their local rivals Arsenal for the 22-year-old’s transfer. The Gunners, too, have strengthened their defence with the signing of Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion. However, Rob Holding is being linked with an exit, which could create an opening in the squad.
Furthermore, Hector Bellerin is also headed for the exit doors in the current transfer window, which would leave a void in the right-back slot. Signing Tomiyasu, then, would be akin to killing two birds with a single stone for Mikel Arteta & co. as they can use him either as a centre-back or a full-back as and when needed.
Bologna, for their part, are open to a sale and want a transfer fee of €20 million plus bonuses for Tomiyasu. The defender had been away at the Tokyo Olympics, which also played a part in slow negotiations. Now done with the international commitments, his return to the club could help things speed up with regards to a transfer.
What remains to be seen, though, is who among Arsenal and Tottenham comes out on top in the race to land the 22-year-old Tomiyasu before the transfer window slams shut in three weeks.
