Arsenal set for u-turn on transfer listed star amid Bayern Munich speculation

Suraj Radia

23 Nov 2023 17:56 GMT
3 min read

Mikael Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Arsenal are set to hand Takehiro Tomiyasu a new contract following his impressive start to the season just months after they considered selling the defender.

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Tomiyasu joined Arsenal in 2021 but the 25-year-old has largely been used as a versatile squad option during his time at the club, with only 29 of his 52 Premier League apperances being starts – 20 of which were in his debut season.

The Japanese international has 18 months left on his contract at the Emirates and, while Arsenal have an option to extend his deal for a further year, Tomiyasu’s form this season has prompted Mikel Arteta to consider offering his utility man a long-term renewal.

Bayern Munich are among the sides believed to be interested in signing Tomiyasu and Arsenal were open to selling him during the summer, however Jurrien Timber’s opening day ACL injury led to the Gunners removing him from their transfer list.

Tomiyasu has since become integral to Arsenal’s defence, which has conceded a joint-least ten league goals this season, with the defender starting the last three games in all competitions for the first time this campaign.

Having initially joined as a right-back, Tomiyasu has featured all across the defence due to Arsenal’s injury issues and he was recently named the club’s player of the month for October.

Tomiyasu form leaves Arsenal looking at alternative sales

Arsenal have been considering cashing in on players in order to ease their financial fair play constraints, having spent more than £200 million in the summer.

Tomiyasu was considered expendable despite defenders such as Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding all leaving on loan but Arsenal’s injury concerns have left the ex-Bologna man indispensable to Arteta.

It means Arsenal will likely look elsewhere to raise funds if they do wish to sign a player in January with Aaron Ramsdale the most likely candidate to be sold.

Ramsdale has played just twice since the start of September following David Raya’s arrival and he could be sold for the right price, although Arsenal’s valuation of £40m could deter sides from a mid-season move.