Arsenal have now entered the race for a “Rolls-Royce” defender, ahead of Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Gunners enter race to sign wanted defender after EFL Cup final defeat
The Gunners failed to qualify for the EFL Cup, with Manchester City ending their hopes of a quadruple, but Mikel Arteta is determined to make sure defeat does not derail their season.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “It’s difficult because everyone as a player really wanted it today and I know the fans wanted it, that we couldn’t pull it off is very painful.
“We have been together for eight months, now there is an international break.” We all go there with hard feelings and pain, and we will use that as fuel for the next two months.
“We continue, it hurts not to give them what they expect and enjoy, but we will recover from that and go again.”
After the international break, Arteta’s side travel to Southampton for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, before looking to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals over two legs against Sporting CP.
With Man City still a bit away from the Premier League title race, the north Londoners have a lot to play for in the next few months, but they have now started making plans for the summer, and have identified the defender as a number one target.
Arsenal are now in the running to sign the “Rolls-Royce” defender.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are leading the race to sign Hearts defender Alfie Osborne, along with Man City, while the likes of Leeds United, Newcastle, Sunderland and Aston Villa are also interested in the youngster.
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Fresh from losing the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal have begun talks to sign the Premier League star this summer.
Interested Premier League clubs are able to sign Osborne for as little as £250k, but Hearts are determined to hold on to the 17-year-old, who is a target for the Gunners, with the Scottish side trying to tie him down to a new deal.
There has been some debate about the youngster’s best position, as he can play at center back and midfield, but Hearts boss Derek McInnes seems to believe the 6’4 colossus is in defence.
McInnes says: “I haven’t seen enough of him as a midfielder. I can see why people think that’s where he can play because he has good feet and stuff.
“I’d rather we don’t put him anywhere else. He’s a Rolls-Royce, he’s got good size and he should be able to use that size. He’s a good player and we’re lucky to have him.”
The Scottish ace has started to make a name for himself at youth level, appearing 47 times for the Hearts B team, but is yet to prove himself at the top level.
As such, Osborne may fall out of the first team level for a club like Arsenal, but he could be an exciting long-term addition to Arteta’s squad.
