Arsenal could lose star in January as Italian giants plot £25m transfer move

Arsenal have continued to strengthen their defence and have seen Takehiro Tomiyasu drop down Mikel Arteta's pecking order at the Emirates Stadium and he could be available for transfer

Takehiro Tomiyasu is generating interest from a trio of Italian clubs and Arsenal could be willing to sell the Japan international in January.

The former Bologna defender was linked to a move away from the Emirates over the summer as Arsenal once again strengthened their backline. The Gunners had the stingiest defence in the Premier League last season and have added Riccardo Calafiori to a unit of Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, while Jurrien Timber has returned from a season out injured.

Tomiyasu joined the north London side for almost £20million in August 2021 and extended his contract until 2026 in March. The 25-year-old has proven a versatile option for Mikel Arteta in both full-back positions and in the heart of defence.

The defender has made 83 appearances for the Gunners, including 30 outings last term. Nevertheless, Tomiyasu has nevertheless fallen down the pecking order in north London.

Reports claim that Inter Milan are said to be leading the race ahead of Napoli and Juventus. The Gunners will demand a £25m fee to let go of the defender however.

Inter were linked to a move for Tomiyasu during the summer transfer window too. Arsenal had no interest in allowing the versatile star to leave on loan, despite the fact he only started six matches in the league last term.

Tomiyasu was said to be interested in earning more minutes. Inter meanwhile were at that time considered to not be interested in signing the player permanently.

Tomiyasu has yet to take to the field this season after suffering a pre-season injury. After missing the club's pre-season tour of the United States, Mikel Arteta confirmed his charge would be out for a matter of weeks after also missing games against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon ahead of the season.

“I think it will take weeks on that one, unfortunately, and poor Tomi because of everything that he does,” Arteta said following the Lyon friendly.

"But he’s going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it’s going to take a few weeks.”

Tomiyasu was present for Arsenal's squad photograph earlier this week but remained absent for their training session on Wednesday. The Gunners prepared for their Champions League clash at London Colney before making the trip to Italy.

Arteta is also without Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. Arsenal captain Odegaard is set to be out for a number of weeks but the Spaniard hopes 'not months'.

"After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle," said Arteta. "We’re gonna miss him."

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