Arsenal can use their Hale End academy star Folarin Balogun to solve their right-back issues after his imminent international team switch.
Football.london’s Chris Wheatley understands that Balogun is expected to commit his long-term international future to the United States despite representing England throughout his youth set up.
The United States are building a promising team of youngsters, and one of the players in particular, Sergino Dest, will certainly be of interest to Arsenal.
The Gunners could use Balogun as in a secret agent role to help Mikel Arteta land the exciting full-back who would provide the needed competition for Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Despite the excellent acquisition of Tomiyasu from Bologna in a bargain £19.8m deal, Arteta’s side still requires another right-back in the squad.
The difference in quality between Tomiyasu and the covering right-backs was proven in the 4-1 victory over Leeds United earlier in the season when Cedric Soares came on to replace the 23-year-old and instantly Arteta’s defence looked weaker, causing the loss of a clean sheet.
Maitland-Niles was probably Arteta’s best backup option to Tomiyasu but his move to Roma on loan has distinguished any chances of him being used as a backup right-back.
Dest would have been - and could still be - a great option for Arsenal, and a deal was certainly possible, as according to the Spanish press, Barcelona have listed both Frenkie de Jong and Dest as being available for transfer, along with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The youngster looks, on paper at least, to be the kind of signing, even at the £27m fee Transfermarkt values him at, that would provide excellent competition for Tomiyasu and provide a different, more dynamic option in that particular position.
Not also does his quality make him an attractive signing, but it is also because he will provide a completely different style of play to Tomiyasu, as the American is better on the overlap, and providing a threat to the opposition box.
Having Tomiyasu and Dest compete for the right-back spot would elevate Arteta’s side, and would certainly play a major factor in their hopes for Champions League qualification in the future.
Balogun’s switch to the US men’s national team could benefit all parties, especially if the Gunners are able to sort out their full-back issues.
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