Arsenal have made a move for Girona defender Arnau Martinez, according to reports, despite also being linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.
Mikel Arteta wants to add another defender to his squad before the transfer window closes on Monday September 1.
Centre-back Cristhian Mosquera has been brought in from Valencia as one of seven summer arrivals at the Emirates, but the Gunners want to do more business still.
Arsenal are not short of defenders, with competition for places at full-back especially, but Martinez could be added to the mix.
Foot Mercato report that a bid has been made for the Girona man worth an initial €8m (£6.9m), plus €2m (£1.7m) in add-ons.
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The 22-year-old has played his entire professional career at Girona, making 163 appearances in all competitions for the club.
The Spain Under-21 international plays at right-back but has also been used as a centre-back, so offers versatility.
The Spaniard would be competing with both Ben White and Jurrien Timber at right-back, while Gabriel and William Saliba are nailed on as the centre-back partnership.
However, at a total of less than £10m he would be a relatively cheap signing able to add depth to Arteta’s squad.
He would certainly be cheaper than Hincapie, another defender Arsenal have been linked with in the final days of the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old is also well-regarded by Arsenal and they can get him as he has a release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract, but that is set at £52m.
The Gunners are not willing to pay that much and were thought to be hoping for a cheaper deal for the Ecuador international.
If they pull off a move for Martinez, though, that will see them end the chase of Hincapie.
If they are to sign anyone else, there need to be some outgoings before the transfer window closes, with some fringe players looking to be moved on.
Porto are planning to make an improved bid for Jakub Kiwior this week after seeing an initial offer rejected by Arsenal earlier in the summer and he is expected to leave.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has also been linked with a departure but after initial interest from AC Milan, his next move is not clear.
The only departures so far this summer have been Nuno Tavares to Lazio and Marquiinhos to Cruzeiro, with Karl Hein moving to Werder Bremen on loan.
With big money signings of Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, Arsenal have spent over £230m more than they have received in the transfer market.
