Mikel Arteta approves Arsenal transfer for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez
Arsenal are planning a raid to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, according to BBC Sport broadcast by Transfers.
The Hungarian has consistently shown high-level performances since joining the Cherries last summer. He has continued in good form this season participating in all seven first division Andoni Iraola's team matches.
Quoting BBC sport, Transfers states that the defender's ability to combine defensive and offensive attributes has piqued the interest of the Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta.
The report adds that the player's qualities have put him on the radar of the north London club, who are looking to bolster their left-back ranks in the future, and Arteta has given the green light to launch a move.
Valued at €20 million (£16 million) per Transfer marketThe 20-year-old fits into Arsenal's youth recruitment strategy and the club would not want to miss the opportunity to bring the defensive ace to the Emirates Stadium, according to the report.
The enigma of the left back
Arsenal find themselves in a conundrum at left back despite results and performances showing no need for reinforcements in the position.
Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori has filled the role this season alongside Jurrien Timber, who has now moved to right-back in the absence of Ben White.
However, neither player is a natural left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and the injured Kieran Tierney being the only recognizable left-backs in the Arsenal squad.
Although Zinchenko possesses notable technical qualities that sometimes see him invested in midfield, his defensive awareness has been questionable, with the Ukrainian often lacking on several occasions.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior were also used as left-backs on several occasions last season and the club is yet to find a natural left-back who can offer both defensive and offensive balance to the team.
It appears the Gunners are now determined to land a more natural left-back who is solid at both ends of the pitch, with Bournemouth's Kerkez emerging as the club's potential option to fill the role.
The 20-year-old has been quick to adapt to the intensity of the League and has regularly put in respectable performances despite facing some of the League's best wingers.
With the report highlighting Arsenal's eagerness to bring in a player of his qualities, his £16m valuation should not be too much of a challenge for the free-spending Gunners.
