Arsenal in talks with Bologna over Japan international

Jason Soutar
Takehiro Tomiyasu

Arsenal have opened talks with Bologna over the potential signing of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The 22-year-old is a versatile player who can play right-back or centre-back.

He is also a Japan international and has 23 caps to his name already, making his senior international debut in October 2018.


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Tomiyasu joined Bologna in 2019 for around £6million from Belgian side Sint-Truiden and has gone on to make 64 appearances for the Serie A outfit.

The defender has also been linked with a move to Tottenham this summer with Italian website Calciomercato reporting earlier this month that Spurs had a ‘rough agreement’ of €20million (£17m) with Bologna to sign him.

However, their attention has turned elsewhere as they are due to announce the signing of Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal imminently.

Tomiyasu has been on the Gunners’ radar all summer, however, and could complete his move to the Emirates on deadline day.

This is according to David Ornstein, who says Arsenal are working on a deal to sign the Japan international.

The north Londoners need a right-back and Mikel Arteta is reportedly an admirer of the player.

Ornstein’s report for The Athletic says: ‘discussions are under way but a potential deal is dependent on other player movements at the club before the deadline on Tuesday evening’.

Hector Bellerin is close to joining Real Betis and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is attempting to a force move away from the club, so a space should open up for Tomiyasu.

The Athletic understands Arsenal want to keep Maitland-Niles at the club.

However, according to Mirror journalist John Cross, the 24-year-old has been removed from first team training after a potential move to Everton was blocked.

After finding out he would not get his move, Maitland-Niles took to social media to express his desire to leave the club.

He said in an Instagram story: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play. @Arsenal.”

Arsenal manager Arteta was clearly left fuming with the player’s Instagram post, but it is unclear whether or not he will leave on deadline day.