Arsenal ‘open talks’ with Besiktas over defender after measly offer was rejected earlier this summer

Arsenal and Turkish giants Besiktas have begun talks over a potential transfer for Rob Holding this summer, according to reports.

The former England Under-21 international only started six Premier League matches last term and made another eight appearances off the bench as the Gunners finished second to champions Manchester City.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta preferred a centre-back partnership of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba last season, although Ben White started in the former’s place in their first match of this season against Nottingham Forest.

That means it’s unlikely Holding will play much at all this season with the former Bolton Wanderers defender not being a regular since the 2020/21 campaign.

The Athletic reporter David Ornstein brought news last month that Turkish side Besiktas had made a €2.5m bid for the English centre-back, which was rejected by Arsenal as it fell ‘far below’ their valuation of Holding.

And now over a month later, L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi has claimed that Besiktas have ‘started talks’ to ‘try and sign’ Holding before the transfer deadline.

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Tanzi wrote on Twitter: ‘Besiktas have started talks to try and bring in Rob Holding (Arsenal) #Mercato’.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has doubted that Holding will push for a move away from Arsenal this summer after becoming a “reliable” back-up option for Arteta.

Merson wrote in his Daily Star column in May: “Holding came in and did a great job for them against West Ham, and I think he’s a reliable defender.

“I remember when he was close to joining Newcastle but he’s proved Arteta right for blocking that move, and doesn’t seem like the type to moan when he’s not starting every week.”

Merson added: “I can’t see him leaving for more minutes. If Arsenal qualify for the Champions League, why would you? It’s a great club. A Rolls Royce. And Arsenal have every chance of finishing in the top four. I expect them to beat Leeds this weekend.”

Holding isn’t the only Arsenal player who is attracting interest from Besiktas with Nicolas Pepe also potentially on the move there and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has brought an update on that deal.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “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.”