With the apparent regression of Per Mertesacker, and Gabriel’s ineptitude to adept to the Premier League, Arsenal are now on the hunt for a new central defender.
Many reports have linked Arsenal to the likes of Mehdi Benatia and Kostas Manolas in recent weeks but it seems Arsene Wenger has identified a target closer to home. The defender Arsenal have been tracking is under-21 international and Bolton player, Rob Holding.
Holding – who is currently playing for the under-21s in the Toulon tournament – had an excellent season for Bolton, and was named their ‘Player of the Year’. Following his impressive season he has caught the eye of many Premier League clubs, namely Arsenal.
Arsenal had bid £750,000 for the Bolton academy graduate earlier in the month, but according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have made an improved £1.2 million offer for the Bolton defender. Bolton currently value Holding at closer to £4 million but with the prospect of playing in League One next season, it may be hard to keep one of their prized assets.
The young defender has a year left on his contract, and with the allure of the Premier League, it might seem Arsenal could be about to add to their British core.
