Arsenal are a club renowned for bringing young players through and seeing them succeed in the first-team. However, sometimes money has to be spent.
With both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny at the back-end of their careers, in the next few seasons it’s likely Arsenal will sign a new centre-back, whilst it’s a similar situation on the left-side of the Gunners defence.
Gabriel Paulista was signed in January, and has succeeded superbly, providing some experience to the back-line; so it’s likely that next time in the transfer market Arsenal will move for a younger player who can be a part of the first-team for years to come.
Here, Jonathan Kaney has identified five promising young defenders in European football that would be superb additions to Arsenal’s defence immediately and in the long-term.
Hit the navigation buttons to see FIVE ideal young defenders Arsenal should target!
Niklas Sule, 20, Hoffenheim
My first choice would be 20-year-old Hoffenheim centre back Niklas Sule who is one of the most promising and complete young defenders in Europe. The German is built like a tank and his aggressive and powerful performances in the Bundesliga have seen his stock rise hugely over the past two seasons.
He has brains as well as brawn and is a dominant and composed defender despite his young age. He’s been linked with Dortmund, Bayern and the Gunners in the past for a fee of around £8m, but if he keeps performing the way he is that figure could rise significantly. He will undoubtedly end up at a top club in the coming years, and would be a great signing for Arsenal to add some steel and fear factor to our back line for the future.
Samuel Umtiti, 21, Lyon
Highly rated French youngster Samuel Umtiti has been linked with a host of top clubs over the past two seasons and the 21-year-old recently made comments that his dream is to play in the Premier League one day.
Umtiti is a versatile left footed defender who is comfortable playing left back or centre back and he has already established himself in the Lyon first team. We would have a battle on our hands with other top clubs for his signature and would have to pay big money for him, but he’s another promising left sided player who would be a fantastic signing for the future.
Jose Maria Gimenez, 20, Atletico Madrid
The sale of Atletico stalwart Miranda to Inter has gone barely noticed in Madrid after the emergence of Uruguayan Jose Maria Gimenez. The 20-year-old has fast become one of the most highly rated centre backs in Europe with his all-action displays and was thought to be subject of a failed £17.5m transfer bid from Man City last summer.
He would cost twice that figure now as a future star, but would be an excellent signing and a great potential partner for Koscielny or Gabriel.
Jose Gaya, 20, Valencia
Top class left back prospects are in high demand and Valencia youngster Jose Gaya is one whose stock is rising every year. At just 20 years old Gaya has already established himself in the Valencia first team and was linked with a £35m move to Chelsea last season.
While he doesn’t quite have the pace of Bellerin, he is certainly a talented flying winger on the left-hand side and would be a cracking signing for the future with Monreal entering his 30’s and Gibbs a squad player at best.
John Stones, 21, Everton
Another option to consider would be John Stones who is arguably the most talented defensive prospect in England right now. The summer was dominated by Chelsea’s much publicised chase of him and it was ultimately an embarrassment for them as Everton knocked back three bids of up to £35m. Stones wanted to leave, but with Chelsea’s nightmare form this season it’s worked out just as well.
They are unlikely to come back in for him after being made a fool of by the Everton board once before which leaves the door open for us. He may stay at the Toffees for a couple more seasons, but he would be fantastic signing for Arsenal in the future.