Atletico Madrid are reportedly set to go head to head with Arsenal in the race to sign the €30 million-rated Nahuel Molina.
According to a report from Sky Sport Italia, Arsenal are set to face fresh competition from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the pursuit of Nahuel Molina. The Udinese right-back has emerged as a transfer priority for Diego Simeone ahead of the new season, with the Atleti coach keen on reinforcing his options on the right-hand side of the back four.
Atletico Madrid were interested in signing Molina in the January transfer window. But the Argentine international ended up remaining at Udinese, with the La Liga club also opting to reinforce the opposite flank by signing Reinildo Mandava.
Udinese’s stance could change in the coming summer, with the Italian outfit valuing their star player at around €30 million. Molina’s agent is aware of the interest from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. He has promised to evaluate all the offers his client can get and assess the best possible destination for the player’s development in the years to come.
With seven goals and five assists in Serie A this term, Molina is certainly a man in demand. A right-back by trade, the Argentine international has made a name for himself with his offensive prowess down the flanks. He is capable of making marauding runs forward and providing width out wide, making him an effective attacking right-back.
Molina has also impressed the onlookers with his athleticism that often becomes quite handy when it comes to making up ground defensively. It has made him an appealing option for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who is looking for an attacking alternative to his primary right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.
While Cedric Soares has featured a lot in the absence of Tomiyasu, the Portuguese international is not exactly rated highly by the Arsenal manager. As such, Arteta is now eyeing a move for Molina, who is a far superior attacking full-back capable of causing troubles for the opposition defences out wide.
However, the report suggests Nahuel Molina will be keen on continuing his development at his new club. The player will likely be looking for a club that can offer him regular game-time, especially with the 2022 FIFA World Cup just around the corner.
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It could give Atletico Madrid the upper hand, as they are without a top-quality right-back at the moment following the January exit of Kieran Trippier. Molina, in that regard, could become the La Liga club’s first-choice option next season and the Argentine connection between him and Simeone should be enough to make Atleti the favourites over Arsenal to sign the Udinese star this summer.
