Arsenal look to be losing in on Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on deadline day as the Italian side prepare for his last-gasp exit.
That’s according to La Repubblica in Italy, who claim that Bologna boss Sinisa Mihajlovic now believes Tomiyasu is leaving for Arsenal today.
Mihajlovic thinks winger Riccardo Orsolini is staying, but believes Tomiyasu will have gone by close of play today.
Arsenal are thought to have overtaken Tottenham in the race for Tomiyasu, with a deal now expected to happen in the coming hours.
Bologna have even identified the man they want to replace Tomiyasu, with Portimonense defender Fahd Moufi being lined up for a move to Italy.
The Moroccan has impressed in Portugal and will now be targeted by Bologna for the role as their new right back.
That all points towards Tomiyasu’s move to North London being close, having looked set to sign for rivals Tottenham throughout the summer.
Tomiyasu, 22, is a centre back or right back by trade, and you would assume that Arsenal see him as a right back given their problems in that area.
More of a defensive option in that a marauding right back, Tomiyasu has excelled in Italy since joining Bologna from Sint-Truiden in 2019.
Arsenal have had the likes of Junichi Inamoto, Ryo Miyaichi and Takuma Asano in recent times, and Tomiyasu will now look to become a Japanese success story at the Emirates Stadium.
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