Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, with the England international having a £30m buy-back clause from former side Tottenham.
According to the Athletic, the Gunners are keeping tabs on Walker-Peters with Mikel Arteta keen on signing a new right-back this summer, with Manchester United also interested in the 25-year-old, who last season was exceptional for Southampton.
Walker-Peters joined the Saints from Tottenham in 2020, with the fullback since becoming part of Gareth Southgate’s England set-up and one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers, with the defender thriving last season at both right-back and left-back.
And it is likely because of this versatility that Arsenal are interested in signing Walker-Peters, with the Gunners eager to sign backup for both Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who both suffered lengthy injury spells last season that contributed to the north London side missing out on top-four.
Indeed, signing a boyhood Tottenham fan in Walker-Peters could be difficult for Arsenal, even more so that Southampton have no intention of letting their star defender this summer, with the Saints having a productive window that has seen some impressive names come through the front door.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side recently completed the signing of Joe Aribo from Rangers, with Southampton also securing the signatures of Manchester City duo Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia as well as highly-rated German youth international Armel Bella-Kotchap.
Southampton will be crazy to let Walker-Peters sign for Arsenal
Walker-Peters suits what Arsenal need from a fullback signing to the tee this summer, yet given the Englishman’s impressive season last year, Southampton will be crazy to let the former Tottenham academy graduate to sign for the Gunners.
After all, Walker-Peters has become a star for Southampton since joining the south coast side over two years ago, and moving to Arsenal to act as backup would be an odd move for the 25-year-old, who should be aspiring for higher career goals in the coming future.
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