-Arsenal are reportedly launching a £25m offer for Croatia World Cup star Domagoj Vida
– New boss Unai Emery is unimpressed with the current central defenders at the Premier League side
– The Spaniard must sell some squad members to seal a deal for Vida before transfer deadline
Arsenal Spanish manager Unai Emery is reportedly plotting a £25million move for Croatian World Cup star Domagoj Vida.
According to a UK Sun report, the move will only yield dividend if the Emirates side offload Shkodran Mustafi or Danny Welbeck before the current transfer window closes on Thursday.
The report further suggests that the Spaniard is unsatisfied with the defence line he has inherited from ex-boss Arsene Wenger and has scouted the pony-tailed Vida as a valuable addition that will reinforce his leaky back four.
Already, the Gunners have six central defenders in their ranks, including recuperating captain Laurent Koscielny as well as £16million addition Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
However, Emry is unconvinced by the qualities of Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding and has little confidence that rookie Konstantinos Mavropanos is set for regular hostilities in the English topflight.
Not forgetting that the Emirates side splashed a club-record £60million on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.
At the moment, the club eggheads are now keen to find suitors for some of their star players who do not seem to feature in Emery’s long-term plans going forward.
At the last count, Arsenal have only managed to raise few cash after offloading the duo of Chuba Akpom and Jeff Reine-Adelaide.
And with time running out ahead of the transfer deadline the likes of Mustafi, Welbeck, Lucas Perez and David Ospina are likely to play elsewhere if they must reach a deal for Vida before Thursday.
Interestingly, Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray are reportedly interested in signing German international Mustafi, who has failed to shine since his £34.85m switch from Seville two seasons ago.
However, Arsenal’s £22million valuation could be a stubbing block as they are looking for a centre-back on loan.
Former Manchester United ace Welbeck, now in the final year of his Arsenal deal, is another potential source of income for the Gunners.
The £20million-rated Welbeck only returned to pre-season action on Monday and has not attracted any suitor at the moment.
Arsenal boss Emery insists he is satisfied with Arsenal’s summer transfer business but is not ruling out the arrival of one more signing.
Arsenal tackle Serie A side Lazio in their final pre-season fixture in Stockholm this evening.
An Emery will be looking for a decent show from his defenders than they have put up in previous games this summer.
