Arsenal given HUGE transfer boost as Besiktas enter race for UNWANTED star

Cameron Smith

21 Aug 2023 11:39 BST
4 min read

Arsenal have been handed a major boost as Besiktas have entered talks with the club regarding a possible deal for Rob Holding, according to reports.

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The 27-year-old was omitted from the Gunners’ matchday squad for their opening Premier League game of the season and has been linked with an exit all summer.

However, a deal has not been struck yet and he remains an Arsenal player.

Summer signing Jurrien Timber suffered an ACL injury in the aforementioned league opener against Nottingham Forest, but Arsenal are still keen to offload Holding as they look to improve their first-team squad.

Mikel Arteta has already offloaded Pablo Mari and Austen Trusty so far this summer, however he is prepared to sanction the sale of another centre-back in order to shift Holding off the books.

The Englishman deputised for William Saliba last season following the Frenchman’s injury, but that proved to be the turning point in Arsenal’s season as they lost their strangle-hold on the Premier League title and saw Manchester City leapfrog them into first place.

Now, Holding has been heavily touted for a move away and L’Equipe have reported that Besiktas have initiated talks with Arsenal over a possible move for the defender.

The Turkish Super Lig club have already signed the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ante Rebic and Daniel Amartey so far this summer, while Romain Saiss and Nathan Redmond have both left the club.

Besiktas’ Arsenal raid

Along with Holding, Besiktas have also discussed the possibility of signing his Arsenal team-mate Nicolas Pepe.

© ProShots - Besiktas were keen on signing Nicolas Pepe from Arsenal

The Ivorian spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Nice and is expected to leave the Emirates this window.

However, Fabrizio Romano has reported that a deal is unlikely to be agreed. He told CaughtOffside: “Despite reports, it’s not so much the case that Nicolas Pepe has rejected a move to Besiktas – they negotiated but didn’t agree on the length of the contract or his salary.

“That’s why both sides left conversations and the Pepe deal is now on stand-by. Let’s see what Arsenal will decide to do now.”