Arsenal prepare emergency £20m signing amid fears star’s ‘serious’ injury could bleed into next season

Fears over how long it’ll take Takehiro Tomiyasu to recover from knee surgery is prompting Arsenal to act in the market, and a report claims a £20m-rated right-back is ‘open’ to moving.

Tomiyasu was one of two Arsenal players to suffer an injury in the disastrous Europa League Round of 16 clash with Sporting Lisbon on March 16.

The Gunners would bow out of the competition on penalties, but injuries to Tomiyasu and William Saliba would have far-reaching consequences.

Saliba’s back injury prevented the Frenchman from playing any part in Arsenal’s title run-in. Ben White would ordinarily have covered at centre-half ahead of Rob Holding, though was required to continue at right-back due to the absence of Tomiyasu.

The Japan international successfully underwent surgery on his right knee to repair the issue and Mikel Arteta recently claimed a return in pre-season could be on the cards.

“(Tomiyasu) is really close,” said Arteta (via the Evening Standard). “Hopefully, he will be around for pre-season, like Willy (Saliba), to be in a good place.

“They have been working so hard and it’s been a really difficult year for (Tomiyasu) with some of the issues he’s had.

“He’s a tremendous person and a top professional and we just want him to be available because when he’s available he’s really helpful for the team.”

Arteta faith in Tomiyasu recovery misplaced?

However, a worrying report from the Telegraph has revealed Tomiyasu’s absence may bleed into next season.

The publication declare ‘it is feared that the Japan international could be out for much longer’ than the timeframe Arteta has put forward.

With that in mind and given how a lack of defensive depth has cost Arsenal dearly down the stretch, a new addition at right-back is now on the cards.

The Telegraph report Man City’s Joao Cancelo is an option, though it’s unlikely City will sell such a proven and potent player to the team who ran them closest in the league.

Instead, a move for Galatasaray’s Sacha Boey is touted and the player is reportedly ‘open’ to moving to England.

Arsenal are set to face competition from as yet unnamed Premier League sides for the transfer. However, the Gunners will certainly be in the mix and are ‘considering a summer move’.

Boey, 22, has been a regular starter for Galatasaray this season and has racked up four assists and one goal along the way.

The Telegraph concluded Galatasaray will demand £20m before giving the greenlight to selling Boey. Fabrizio Romano claimed the Turkish side will ask for the slightly higher figure of €25m (£21.7m).

Romano also doubled down on the claim Arsenal are very much in the mix for the player.

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