Arsenal ‘expected’ to buy defender ‘at €20m’; Arteta ‘presses’ Gunners to sign relegated midfielder

Lewis Oldham 07 Jun 2023 7:15 AM

According to reports, Arsenal are expected to sign 22-year-old Sacha Boey from Turkish outfit Galatasaray this summer for around €20m.

The Gunners are expected to strengthen in various positions this summer ahead of their return to the Champions League.

A new right-back is likely to be recruited as it has been reported that Mikel Arteta is planning to use Ben White as a centre-back next season.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Ivan Fresneda since the January transfer window but Boey has emerged as a potential alternative in recent weeks.

The full-back signed for Galatasaray in 2021 from Rennes and he impressed in his 33 appearances for the Super Lig side this season.

Last week, it was reported that Arsenal have already made an ‘opening offer’ to Galatasaray in an attempt to buy Boey.

Now Takvim (via Sport Witness) are reporting that ‘Galatasaray and the Gunners will hold a meeting this week regarding a potential transfer’.

Arsenal’s initial offer was ‘€18m with bonuses’, but Galatasaray are said to have set their asking price at €25m. Despite this, it is claimed that after this week’s meeting, the two teams are ‘expected to shake hands at €20m’ to get the deal over the line.

Boey could be one of Arsenal’s first signings, but it is understood that their priority is to sign Declan Rice from West Ham.

Arsenal need to consider alternatives to Rice as he is already being looked at by Bayern Munich and Man Utd.

In terms of potential midfield signings, Youri Tielemans has been heavily linked with the Gunners over the past year.

The Belgium international entered the final year of his contract at Leicester last summer and Arsenal were said to be considering signing him for £30m at the time.

Tielemans has ended up running down his contract at Leicester, who suffered relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign.

Last week, the midfielder took to Instagram to confirm his Leicester exit: “Dear Leicester fans, after four and a half special years and with a lot of gratitude I’m bidding farewell to this incredible club.

“From the first day, I set foot on this ground, your warmth and passion embraced me. Victory and triumph, love, hope and even defeat, we’ve shared many special moments together.

“I am forever grateful for your unwavering support, thank you to Khun Top, the board, the staff, the players and fans for having given me and my family a home. This is not a goodbye, but a heartfelt farewell. With pride, love and eternal gratitude, Youri Tielemans.”

Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that Arsenal are ‘pressing for the signing of Tielemans’.

The 26-year-old is one of Arteta’s ‘great targets’ this summer as the head coach sees him as a ‘top signing’ for the Premier League giants.

Arsenal Sacha Boey