Arsenal links addressed as £18m ace responds when asked if he’s joining Gunners

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Dinamo Zagreb defender Josip Sutalo is shutting down reports linking him with an £18 million move to Premier League runners-up Arsenal. 

A couple of weeks ago, when the subject of Arsenal’s interest was brought up for the first time, the Croatia international centre-half admitted that he was flattered to have caught the eye of one of England’s most recognisable football institutions. 

Ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Nations League semi-final with the Netherlands, however, Josip Sutalo was a little less forthcoming this time around. 

“Arsenal? I don’t read anything,” Sutalo tells SportKlub; preferring instead to focus on the task at hand as Croatia look to secure a final clash with either Spain or Italy. 

“When the time comes for the transfer, we will talk about it.” 

Is Josip Sutalo heading to Arsenal?

A cultured, right-sided centre-half; Sutalo will be hoping to get the nod alongside Josko Gvardiol at the heart of Zlatko Dalic’s backline when the Dutch come to town.

At 23 and 21 respectively, the fresh-faced defensive pair could form a formidable partnership for years to come at international level, and a move to Arsenal would presumably boost Sutalo’s hopes of nailing down a starting spot for his country ahead of next summer’s European Championships on German soil. 

According to The Standard, Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Sutalo in action. The one-time Leeds United target, like January addition Jakub Kiwior, would add further depth to Mikel Arteta’s squad. Providing competition for William Saliba while potentially bringing an end to Rob Holding’s Gunners career. 

“Josip Sutalo is somehow always at the exit door,” Dinamo Zagreb boss Igor Biscan told Sportske Novosti recently. 

“Since I arrived at Dinamo, especially the last four or five games, he has made a very serious shift. He really looks very, very good. Dominant.

“The departure of Josip will be a great loss. We will hardly be able to find a player who will be able to replace him to some extent.”