Arsenal give ‘approval’ for significant January transfer

One of Arsenal’s crucial defensive players is reportedly ready to leave the club in January, with a host of top sides already queuing up to sign him.

The Gunners have conceded just one goal in six games across all competitions this season, with Mikel Arteta opting to keep a consistent back line to avoid shaking up the defensive rhythm his side are in.

Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and William Saliba have played every minute in the Premier League so far, leading to players such as €45 million summer signing Riccardo Calafiori starting life at Arsenal as a bit-part option.

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Consequently, a number of players have yet to feature for the Gunners and are aware that first team opportunities may be hard to come by this season.

One of those players is understood to be Takehiro Tomiyasu, with the Japanese international having been given Arsenal’s ‘approval’ to leave the club in January, according to Calciomercato.

Sides in Italy have taken the most attention in Tomiyasu, with Juventus said to be readying a €20 million offer to Arsenal to understand the feasibility of a transfer.

Tomiyasu ‘very happy’ at idea of returning to Serie A

Tomiyasu has not featured at all this season after still struggling to recover from injury, having missed large parts of the previous campaign with more fitness issues.

Arteta admitted that Tomiyasu’s recovery has been slow and that predicting a date for his return would be ‘difficult’, with the 25-year-old not back in training due to a knee problem.

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Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2021 for €18.6 million and the Japanese international is said to be ‘very happy’ at the prospect of a return to Italy, with Napoli and Inter also interested in his signature.

The defender has been a popular figure in North London since his arrival and is still considered an important option, however his injury issues have prevented any pathway towards regular first team action.