Arsenal target Premier League defender after Tomiyasu blow | OneFootball

As Leicester City grapple with the aftermath of their Premier League relegation, rumours abound regarding the fate of their players.

In the midst of the upheaval, Arsenal have emerged as a potential new home for Belgian right-back Timothy Castagne, despite expressing a preference for Tottenham Hotspur previously.

The latest word from the rumour mill reveals that Arsenal have their sights set on Leicester City’s defender, Timothy Castagne, for the summer transfer window.

Leicester’s shaky ground

Leicester City’s Premier League relegation has prompted speculation around the potential exodus of their top players.

James Maddison and Timothy Castagne are expected to be on the move, adding pressure to an already struggling side.

We already know Youri Tielemans will be also leave for free with his contract expiring at the end of June.

Arsenal’s active summer

Arsenal are expected to be quite proactive in this window.

Their priority appears to be bolstering their midfield but with several names linked to the club for other positions as well.

Joao Cancelo, Ivan Fresneda and Sacha Boey are among those rumoured to be on Mikel Arteta’s list, with Castagne the latest addition after reports emerged a month ago that the club had been scouting him.

The Belgian international, who joined Leicester from Atalanta for £21.5 million back in 2020, is valued at around €28m.

According to Het Belang van Limburg, Arsenal are keen on him, and he could be signed for an amount between £12.8 million and £17.1 million.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, a reliable right-back for Arsenal, when fit, is expected to be out until October due to a knee injury.

As such, Arteta is possibly looking to bring in a player like Castagne.

However, Castagne has in the past publicly stated his preference for Tottenham over Arsenal. But as the current situation unfolds, he might just end up playing for the team he once snubbed.

Speaking to La Derniere Heure in June 2020, he said: “I was especially a fan when Thierry Henry played for (Arsenal). Now I’m not so much. You have to be honest with yourself. When a team like PSG or Tottenham come knocking on your door, you can’t say ‘no’.”

In short, he doesn’t seem very bright.

With 42 appearances this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists, Castagne is a seasoned player. Playing for Belgium regularly since 2018, he played every minute of their recent World Cup campaign.