Arsenal transfer news: Gunners scout two centre-back options as Saliba faces long absence

Arsenal are urgently exploring the transportation marketplace aft William Saliba was diagnosed with a backmost fracture that could support him sidelined for astir 5 months, with CaughtOffside reporting that Ezri Konsa and Konstantinos Mavropanos are the 2 starring candidates to supply cover.

Saliba suffered the wounded during France's World Cup semi-final decision to Spain connected Tuesday, but RMC Sport person revealed that the fracture was successful information sustained during a Premier League lucifer earlier the tourney began.

The centre-back played done the full contention with the assistance of painkillers and received regular specializer attraction from the French aesculapian unit successful the United States, until his backmost gave mode successful Atlanta.

The afloat grade of his lack has not yet been confirmed, but a five-month spell connected the sidelines is already being cited by sources adjacent to the situation.

Arsenal place Konsa arsenic screen options

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are weighing up moves for some Konsa and Mavropanos to code the spread near by Saliba's injury.

Konsa is the higher-profile option. The 28-year-old started 7 of England's matches astatine the World Cup and comes disconnected the backmost of a afloat play astatine Aston Villa, making 48 appearances crossed each competitions.

'Arsenal complaint Ezri Konsa precise highly, truthful helium is 1 to watch,' a root told CaughtOffside. The England planetary brings Premier League pedigree, durability and the acquisition of competing crossed aggregate fronts, qualities Arteta volition request portion navigating a play that could commencement without his first-choice centre-back spouse for William Saliba.

Mavropanos, the much economical alternative

Mavropanos is the much economical alternative. The Greece planetary made 35 appearances for West Ham past play earlier the Hammers' relegation to the Championship, and his sanction has been raised internally astatine Arsenal.

He is expected to question a Premier League exit this summertime and, with his marketplace worth accessible, represents a applicable short-term solution.

Whether Arsenal take to determination for 1 oregon some of these options volition beryllium connected however swiftly the wounded timeline becomes clearer — and however urgently Arteta feels helium needs antiaircraft screen earlier the Premier League play begins.