Now, this is probably a transfer that can be placed firmly into the ‘not going to happen’ camp.
Arsenal, after all, only recently paid £33 million to bring in Riccardo Calafiori – one of the breakout stars of Euro 2024 – from Serie A high-flyers Bologna.
Add that to Jakub Kiwior and the excellent Gabriel Magalhaes, and Mikel Arteta has at his disposal three talented left-footed centre-halves. To think, many managers would bite your hand off for just the one.
So while David Hancko has plenty of admirers – his agent confirmed interest from Liverpool a few months ago while HITC understands Aston Villa and West Ham United have also looked – the Feyenoord stopper is surely not going to end up at the Emirates Stadium this summer.
A major part of Feyenoord’s 2023 Eredivisie-winning campaign under now-Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Hancko feels ready for a big move of his own.
But while a footballer of Hancko’s versatility, technical qualities and ball-playing prowess would not look ‘out of place at Arsenal’ – to quote one Dutch football expert – there is no room at the Gunners’ Inn at present.
David Hancko labelled good enough for Arsenal
“Hancko is the best defender in the Netherlands. He is ready for the top of the world and would not be out of place at Arsenal,” former Feyenoord striker Ali Boussaboun tells RTV Rijnmond.
“He hardly takes any cards (how they are dealt) and is also comfortable on the ball.”
Boussaboun admits he ‘cannot understand’ why the likes of Hancko and fellow defender Lutsharel Geertruida are still plying their trade outside of one of Europe’s so-called ‘top five’ leagues.
As far as Hancko is concerned, however, a lot has to do with the fee.
Marca say that Feyenoord want £30 million.
Such a demand appears to have scuppered the Slovakia international’s hopes of sealing a dream move to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, though Hancko is keen to point out that another year in Rotterdam would be far from a disaster.
“I didn’t like the media saying that I was interested (in leaving) because of the salary that Atleti would have offered me. That’s not true,” Hancko says. “(At Feyenoord), I already has a great contract.
“It would not be a punishment (to stay).
“(Feyenoord) are demanding more money. It’s not something that is in my hands and I can’t do anything about it.”
Gunners already have Riccardo Calafiori
Hancko, like Calafiori, excelled during the European Championships.
Playing as a left-back rather than in his favoured left-sided centre-half role, the former Fiorentina and Sparta Prague man produced one of the tournament’s finest defensive performances in that 1-0 group-stage victory over Belgium.
He threw his body on the line to deny PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko with an outstanding goal-line clearance.
Last season’s Premier League runners-up kick off the new campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17th.
Calafiori will be expected to make his top-flight bow in that game, potentially at left-back with Gabriel and William Saliba having already established themselves as the division’s most iron-clad defensive partnership.
“We welcome Riccardo and his family to Arsenal. He is a great signing and gives us huge strength to reinforce our defence,” Arteta told the Gunners website of his new number 33.
“Riccardo is a big personality and character, with specific skills which will make us stronger as we push to win major trophies. He has already shown great development in recent seasons with his performances for both Bologna and Italy, with his progression and development in the past year being really impressive.
“We’re looking forward to working with Riccardo, integrating him into the squad, and supporting him in the years to come.”
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