Amavi: Would the Marseille defender be an ideal back-up to Tierney at Arsenal?

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal may have found an ideal back-up to Kieran Tierney at left-back in the form of Marseille defender Jordan Amavi.

According to L’Equipe, the 26-year-old defender has yet to agree a contract extension with the Ligue 1 side.

Since Amavi’s current deal expires at the end of the current season, Arsenal could either sign the defender for free in the summer or offer a cut-down price for his services in the January window. 

The French publication also reports that alongside Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Napoli are also interested in making an offer for the defender. 

Do Arsenal need a left-back?

While it’s unlikely that Arsenal will be doing much January transfer business besides the loan deal for Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side will probably need to sign a new left-back sooner rather than later. 

“We are a little bit short with left-footed full-backs,” the Spaniard told the media recently. “We know we can use Ainsley [Maitland-Niles] there, we can use Bukayo [Saka] there, we can use Cedric [Soares], who has played in that position. We have some options.

“The natural option is Kieran [Tierney] but we can adapt. That option is open and we are looking to see what is available. We are looking at various positions because the movements we have made in this transfer window, with some players leaving the club, leaves us a little bit short in certain areas.

“So if we can, we will do it, and if we can’t, we’ll just keep going with what we have.”

Would Amavi be a smart signing? 

At 26 years of age, Amavi is of a similar age and profile to Tierney and would be a useful sparring partner for the Scotland international, as well as providing excellent depth when the first-choice left-back picks up an injury. 

However, it remains to be seen just how much Amavi would fancy a move to Arsenal under the assumption that he wouldn’t be first-choice in his preferred position. 

After spending three seasons at Marseille as an accomplished left-back, the French defender may have larger ambitions and demand a first-team spot at whichever club he picks in the summer. And as such, Arsenal may not be able to provide the assurances that he would seek.