Serie A duo chase Arsenal's 'forgotten' defensive star

Feargal Brennan

Serie A duo chase Arsenal's 'forgotten' defensive star image

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu could be offered a 2025 transfer exit from the Premier League.

The Japanese international has endured injury problems over the last 12 months and the former Bologna star has seen his spot in Mikel Arteta's starting XI slip away.

Tomiyasu is yet to feature for the Gunners in the 2024/25 campaign, as a calf injury curtailed the end of last season, and a knee issue forced him to miss the majority of preseason.

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On the back of a separate knee surgery 12 months ago, there is concern over his ability to regain full fitness, and Arteta is considering a sale.

Despite offering experience and versatility to the Arsenal backline, Jurrien Timber's recovery from his own injury problems has locked down the troublesome left-back spot, with Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes first choice across the back four.

Gabriel Magalhães no Arsenal
Getty Images

The summer arrival of Riccardo Calafiori has pushed him further down the pecking order as the 25-year-old assesses his options.

As per reports from Italian outlet Calciomercato.com, Tomiyasu's lack of prominence has caught the eye of his old side Bologna, and defending Serie A champions Inter Milan.

With his chances limited at Arsenal, a January offer could be incoming from Italy, with Juventus and Napoli also rumoured to be interested.

Arsenal are likely to demand in the region of €20m ($22m) with Bologna, Inter Milan and Juventus all able to offer UEFA Champions League soccer as an extra incentive. 

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.