Rob Holding is set to stay at Arsenal, according to Sky Sports, even though he has been linked with Leeds United recently.
The Daily Mail have suggested that Leeds want to buy Holding from Arsenal, but it is claimed that Mikel Arteta wants to keep the English defender now.
That represents a u-turn on behalf of the Arsenal boss, as The Sun on Sunday (print edition, page 65, July 26, 2020), said that he wanted to sell the English defender.
Holding is likely to be part of Arsenal’s backline next season, with David Luiz, Pablo Mari and William Saliba all set to battle it out for places in Arteta’s team.
That means Arsenal will be happy to let go of Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis and Calum Chambers, as Arteta looks to make alterations to their squad.
Arsenal’s new stance could be a blow for Leeds, who are struggling to get a deal for a centre-back over the line.
Leeds have been chasing Ben White all summer, but have found Brighton & Hove Albion very unwilling to sell.
With Arsenal now taking a similar stance with Holding, it could be that Leeds have to look even further down their list of targets to find an alternative.
Leeds desperately need a new centre-back right now, as Liam Cooper is the only real recognised senior player who is natural in the position in their current squad.
Holding actually performed admirably at Arsenal towards the end of the season, but if he is to prove Arteta right about keeping him, then he will have to maintain those standards for a prolonged period of time next term.
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