Today, Arsenal open talks of Jose Gimenez….
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It’s unlikely the north Londoners will spend heavily on two defenders, however, given that Laurent Koscielny is approaching match fitness and Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista continue their recovery from injuries.
At 21-years old Gimenez has more global caps than the 25-year old Mustafi but Wenger has spoken about the need for experience to cover for Gabriel and Mertesacker and I just cannot see him signing another defender the same age as Calum Chambers, can you?
According to Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail on Wednesday, Arsenal are in talks with Atleti over a potential €45 million (£39 million) move for Gimenez as they continue their search for new back-line figures.
The report goes on to suggest that Gimenez – who managed 37 appearances under Diego Simeone last season – is willing to join a London-based Premier League side.
The Uruguay global is, according to the Daily Mail, open to moving to the Emirates but Atletico are in no hurry to sale and would hold out for bids in the region of £40m.
However, a deal is still a long way from completion as the newspaper claims that Atletico are demanding £40m for Gimenez and Arsenal have so far baulked at the La Liga giants valuation.
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In keeping with a summer of ever-steepling transfer fees, Gimenez would cost around £40 million ($52.6 million), which may be a sticking point as Wenger is now prevaricating over whether to buy Shkodran Mustafi, the Valencia defender, for £30 million ($39.5 million).
