Arsenal put Dutch star back on agenda as Leeds stance is revealed

Donyell Malen, Patrick van Aanholt, Holland, Euro 2020

Arsenal are once again considering an approach for free agent left-back Patrick van Aanholt as Mikel Arteta prepares to re-shape his Gunners squad.

Arteta, along with technical director Edu and newly-arrived director of football Richard Garlick, are looking to put their print on the side. Having finished eighth last season, Arsenal were left without European football for the first time since 1995/96.

However, with finances tight, Arsenal will have to negotiate carefully and pick up one or two bargains.

Van Aanholt is a free agent this summer and is once such player Arsenal are considering. He’s a player they have been thinking about since January but are yet to make their move.

Indeed, Football.London claims Van Aanholt is someone they are considering once again. As per the report, they are ideally seeking someone younger than the 30-year-old.

However, finding someone as cheap and with Premier League experience is not easy and for that reason, he’s someone now of serious interest.

And with Sead Kolasinac likely to depart for a small price (his deal expires in summer 2022), Arsenal can add like-for-like to their squad.

Van Aanholt has been suggested as a target for Leeds United as they await a decision from Ezgjan Alioski. Like Van Aanholt, he also becomes a free agent on July 1.

21 June Transfer Chatter - Liverpool join race for centre-half, Ancelotti wants ex-forward at Real Madrid and Paul Pogba's lucrative contract offer

21 June Transfer Chatter - Liverpool join race for centre-half, Ancelotti wants ex-forward at Real Madrid and Paul Pogba's lucrative contract offer

Liverpool are to challenge Manchester United for Argentine centre-half, Carlo Ancelotti wants to reunite with former forward at Real Madrid and Paul Pogba has a decision to make with a lucrative new Manchester United contract, all in today's transfer chatter.

However, he is yet to make up his mind whether to accept a new deal with Leeds or move on to pastures new. If the latter, he’s been offered a sizeable deal in Russia.

And it’s thought Leeds will await news from Alioski before deciding whether or not to move for Van Aanholt.

United, however, are very much still in the market for a new left-back and, like Arsenal, may prefer someone younger.

The likes of Brest left-back Romain Perraud and Maxwel Cornet have also been touted as possible targets.

Gary Neville pans Van Aanholt

Van Aanholt’s qualities as a defender have also recently been dismissed by Gary Neville.

The left-back started Holland’s 3-2 win over Ukraine early on in Euro 2020, but was hauled off in the 64th-minute. That’s after the Dutch had blown a 2-0 lead, with Van Aanholt being exposed.

“He’s wrong side. It’s typical of Van Aanholt. He’s a poor defender,” Neville said in ITV Sport’s coverage, in the build-up to Andriy Yarmolenko’s run into the Dutch area.

READ MORETwo Prem sides table Aaron Ramsey bids as player makes up his mind