According to a report by The Sun, Arsenal are mulling over a move for Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida. The Croatian international has been identified as the perfect candidate as the Gunners look to bolster their defensive department before the transfer window slams shut.
It is believed that head coach Unai Emery is not happy with his current crop of defenders and is, therefore, keen on securing the services of Vida. However, the Besiktas star could cost up to £25 million and Arsenal might also need to get rid of Danny Welbeck and Shkodran Mustafi in order to complete the transfer.
Domagoj Vida has always been a consistent performer in the Ukrainian top flight, with his impressive displays with Dynamo Kyiv earning him a move to Besiktas earlier this year. But, the 29-year-old has performed on a different level since moving to Istanbul.
He has made 13 appearances since joining the club, helping the Black Eagles achieve a top-four finish in the league. However, his impressive performances in the 2018 FIFA World Cup could make it difficult for the Turkish giants to keep a hold of their defensive stalwart, who has attracted interest from across Europe this summer.
A strong presence at the back, Vida is known for his sheer physicality and rough tackling, which makes him one of the most feared defenders in the Turkish Superlig.
He built a formidable partnership with Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren to help Croatia surprisingly reach the finals of the FIFA World Cup – a performance that showcased his adaptability and solidity at the back even at the highest level of football.
Despite boasting no less than six central defenders, Arsenal still look the weakest at the back amongst the Top 6. Veteran skipper Laurent Koscielny is already out with a long-term injury while new signing Sokratis hasn’t shown a great a deal of promise during the pre-season campaign.
Additionally, Emery does not look convinced with the likes of Calum Chambers, Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi, all of whom have appeared tentative throughout the course of their career at the Emirates. While Konstantinos Mavropanos has shown some promise, the Spaniard believes that he is not yet ready to become a regular fixture in the English top flight.
Thus, the addition of Vida will undoubtedly solidify their defence while his experience will be of great help to the youngsters. As we approach the final days of the transfer window, the Gunners should definitely splash £25 million on this highly rated Croatian international.
Stat courtesy: Transfermarkt
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