ARSENAL are stepping up their bid to sign a new right-back in January, according to reports.
Boss Mikel Arteta is said to have drawn up a shortlist with three potential targets to slot into the Gunners defence.
Transfer website Fichajes report that Arsenal are looking at Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, Norwich City’s Max Aarons and James Justin from Leicester.
Arsenal have a conundrum at the right-back position and are looking for a long-term solution.
The Gunners have been using Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares to fill in alongside new signing from Bologna Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The report from Fichajes also states that the Arteta wants to adopt a more attacking right-back than the current options at his disposal.
Hector Bellerin was loaned out to Real Betis and recently said he wants to stay in Spain.
Speaking to El Desmarque, Bellerin was asked where he see himself playing in June.
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To which he said: “I don’t know, but I’ve always said if I didn’t want to be here next season, I wouldn’t have come from the beginning.
“There are many things to be decided but what I want to do is enjoy this season that I am here. And what has to happen will happen.”
It has been reported that Bellerin took a pay cut in order to force through a move to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Asked about that, he remarked: “It is clear that money is something important, because it is our job. But I think in football that love of sport, of the club, is being lost.
“And for me, after having understood and had that feeling since childhood, there are things that you put first.
“This past year and a half has made us rethink many things.
“For me and for everyone it was an effort to carry out the operation, not only from the point of view of money.
“Also how much it cost us to get here. In the end, those efforts pay off and I had other priorities when making my decision.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
