Arsenal are reportedly luring a central defender who has been targeted by Tottenham Hotspur.
British radio-based outlet Talk Sport reported on Friday (June 25) that “Arsenal are looking to make a last-minute move for one player in the summer transfer window. The subject is Victor Nelson (Galatasaray). Coincidentally, it is a resource that Tottenham are looking at.
Arsenal bolstered their defense with the signing of Julien Timber from Ajax. He was given plenty of chances in pre-season to settle in and even started in the Community Shield against Manchester City, helping them win. 토토사이트
However, he suffered a knee injury five minutes into the second half of the league opener against Nottingham Forest and was replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu. After a scan, he was diagnosed with a six-month absence. He won’t be back for two months at the earliest next January, leaving manager Mikel Arteta in deep trouble.
As he looked at different defenders, Nel caught his eye. The Denmark international has a contract with Galatasaray until the summer of 2026. The buyout clause is relatively low at £22 million ($366 million). Financially, it’s not something Arsenal can’t afford.
Nelson left FC Copenhagen for Galatasaray in the summer of 2021. He was so trusted by the team that he was a regular starter in most competitions, including the league, the UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifiers and playoffs, and the Europa League (UEL) knockout stages, more so than Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), who played for Fenerbahçe.
At 6-foot-2, Nelson is a valuable asset with his ability to control space and coordinate the defense. He’s used to the rhythm of combining league and European club competitions, so he’s not a bad option for Arsenal.
Of course, competition is essential. Especially since he’s one of Tottenham’s top targets. Spurs are struggling to get rid of Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier before the transfer window closes. While new signing Mickey van der Penne has given them a breather with his better-than-expected performances in the opening two games, they need more tactical versatility and long term competition.
Nelson’s stance is reportedly that he would only move to London if Tottenham made a firm offer. This is something that Galatasaray seem to agree with to a certain extent.
Of course, while Arsenal are in the UCL, Tottenham, under manager Enze Postecoglou, are actually looking at this season as a gradual rebuild. If Nelson wants to pursue European ambitions and win the league at the same time, Arsenal could be his destination.
The Gunners have a good squad. They have the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel, and Domijas can play multiple positions. They also have Ben White. Still, there is a sense of unease. Depending on the choices Arsenal make, Tottenham’s strategy could change.