Arsenal would consider selling Rob Holding if any offers are made for the talented centre-half this summer, according to Football London.
Just last week, the former England U21 international took to Instagram to make clear that he was focused on football and football alone amid speculation that he could be moved on by the Gunners.
Holding wants to stay, and who could blame him? But with everything up in the air right now, the 24-year-old’s future may be out of his hands.
Arsenal were short on funds even before the global health crisis reared it’s ugly head. The riches of Champions League football will once again be out of the Gunners’ reach and this, coupled with claims that the club could lose almost £150 million during a period of unprecedented uncertainty, means the North London giants may have no choice but to sell some of their prized assets.
Holding is not exactly ‘up for sale’ but, as Football London points out, a summer sale cannot be ruled out if the right offer arrives.
The former Bolton defender is highly regarded at the Emirates and has even worn the captain’s armband at times. A classy centre-half blessed with impressive reading of the game and an underrated physical streak, Arsenal fans would surely rather lose David Luiz, Shkodran Musafi or Sokratis – but none would command a transfer fee as high as Holding.
“He is a very interesting player, very focused, very determined and very willing to learn,” head coach Mikel Arteta said in January. “There were some moments that he looked really, really good. He is a player that is going to be very valuable for us.”
Arteta would hardly be happy to see Holding go. But Arsenal may have to accept some unpopular decisions to make ends meet.
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