Arsenal have reportedly had a bid accepted for Bolton Wanderers defender Rob Holding. The 20-year-old is also believed to have passed a medical.
Arsene Wenger is inching closer to signing young Bolton Wanderers central defender Rob Holding, after Arsenal reportedly had a bid accepted for the England U21 ace.
Marc Iles of the Bolton News, detailed how an improved offer from the Gunners may have swung the deal:
"Arsene Wenger’s Gunners have submitted a second bid for the England Under-21 international, which has been accepted by Wanderers.The Bolton News understands that Holding underwent a medical this evening and will continue to discuss personal terms this week.Two other top-flight clubs made concrete offers for the 20-year-old centre-half in the last couple of days, forcing Arsenal’s hand to improve the cash tabled up front."
Iles went on to state how the fee is likely to be “£2 million up front,” while he also indicated League 1 side Bolton won’t get Holding back on loan next season.
The latter revelation makes this an even better signing for a Gunners squad needing some youthful defenders to underpin a back four that will soon require a refresh.
Per Mertesacker is 31, while fellow central defender Laurent Koscielny is 30, as is left-back Nacho Monreal.
Holding is flexible enough to cover at both spots in the middle and even play right-back. Depth at the latter position is a particular concern behind Catalan star Hector Bellerin.
Many may feel Holding isn’t needed with Calum Chambers, an equally versatile English defender, already on the books at Arsenal. Yet, Holding’s arrival may free Chambers to operate full-time as second-choice right-back and provide depth in the holding midfield role.
That would give Wenger the freedom to try and offload Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson. He’d also earn move cover in the middle, where one of Mertesacker or Gabriel Paulista are sure to be in a reserve role for the new Premier League season.
Navigating a whole league campaign will require at least four central defenders, though. So Holding’s arrival can ensure the Gunners are well-covered at this vital spot.
Arsenal have actively pursued Holding this summer. The club had one earlier bid rebuffed, as did another Premier League side, believed to be Bournemouth, per another Bolton News article from Iles.
Undeterred, Wenger and the Gunners returned with a second offer, worth £2.5 million, according to Wally Downes Jr. of the Sun. It’s a sign of Wenger’s laudable determination to stay faithful to his philosophy of recruiting and developing young talent.
However, if this signing does go through it’s unlikely to appease anxious and frustrated supporters calling for more marquee names instead of unproven prospects. Many want a top striker and an established central defender.
Wenger has already spent big on Swiss midfield linchpin Granit Xhaka earlier this summer, but his only other signing has been former Sanfrecce Hiroshima forward Takuma Asano.
Adding another one for the future won’t convince many Arsenal are really equipped for a strong Premier League title challenge this term.
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