As ridiculous as it sounds, 50 million for depth is how you compete with City over a 38 game season. Just look at how they have retooled each season - they almost always bring in a new defender and they're never cheap. To me, we have several tiers of defenders in our squad and thankfully they are all of a high enough caliber to have these debates/discussions.

We have one world class defender who has the potential to be the best in his position in the world and that is William Saliba. We have two defenders that are at the very least top 3 defenders in their positions in the EPL in Ben White and Gabriel. We also have versatile defenders who are top 4 quality starters in Tomiyasu and likely Timber. Kiwior and Zinchenko are also useful pieces, especially Kiwior given his versatility.

if you can upgrade one of Kiwior and Zinchenko and bring in a defender in one of those higher tiers, that's how you continue to improve the overall squad quality and quality of depth we have. Personally, I feel like if we brought in Calafiori, he would start at LB and we would have a White - Saliba - Gabriel - Calafiori backline which would be the best in the league IMO. Add to that that you would also have Timber and Tomiyasu as rotation across almost all 4 positions with their versatility and you've got a group of 6 defenders that could make an argument they could start at just about any team in the league. With over 60 games at the least next year, at least 5 of those defenders would get big minutes and we could avoid running them as far into the red as we did this year (Saliba leading the league in minutes and White having to play the entire second half of the season on a hurt knee). I love this move as long as we are also going to strengthen in the midfield and attack.

lorddulaarsenal Agree, think he's a Kiwior replacement, particularly given the rumors of Italian interest in Kiwior. Calafiori seems like a better talent and a better fit for what Arteta wants our defenders to do. If we can sell Kiwior this transfer may only cost us £25-30m net.

    Ha! I saw a screenshot of his Patreon where he basically admits he has no idea what is happening so he's just guessing it's either a smokescreen or we are very confident in it. Clearly just conjecture from someone desperate to keep the subscribers paying for information anyone can hypothesize.

    Would be great to have a long-haired Italian defender in the side, just feels right. Football heritage. Like making sure you have a few Brazilians in your team.

      Ric Cali, mystery German superstar, Marque left winger - shaping up to be a delightful window

      it's all good. just don't want us citing financial reasons for missing out on a midfielder or attacker come september

      We did try for Sesko already... I think we're more handicapped by who's on the market than by finances. Not super easy to name a marquee midfielder or attacker we should be buying IMO.

      I think we’ll get a midfielder and left winger - probably waiting til they are out of the Euros/Copa or have won it.

      Get him in. I love this guy. Top player. He's perfect for what Arteta wants in a LB

      I was initially sus about the veracity of this one. thought it was in the locatelli zone and he'd end up at juve

      however there seems to be too much confluence of opinion from a range of journos, including agresti who is a highly rated juve source

      flobaba The ol' We are either going to get him, or we're not huh. I should be an ITK.

      "Arsenal rumoured to be investigating possible sunrise tomorrow"

        Qwiss Surely LB. He looks a great signing. If the fee of around £40–50m is correct then I think we are looking at a starter on the left, with Zinchenko moving on.

        This looks like an "R–S". A bit of a gamble as he may not immediately be starting quality at the level we need of zero points dropped—but a forgivable one given his profile of experience, talent and age, and the fact he would not start centrally.

        I'd approve of it, I think we've looked physically underwhelming on the left side for a long time with Zinchenko floating around behind the likes of Trossard. I also think this fella looks like a good upgrade on Kiwior. Kiwior for all his gifts lacks the awareness and skill on the ball to graduate from squad to first XI status.

            I’m liking the look of this guy. Our scouting is just so good these days, and you can see what we’re looking for in players. Really hope this works out and we can get a signing done.

            I don’t think his position is totally settled — like with our signings last year, we’ll have to see how he fits in with our group, our style, and the Premier League. But as others have said, a left-sided defender with physicality and quality on the ball is exactly what we need.

            Saliba, Gabriel, White, Timber, Calafiori — should be able to cobble together a decent back four out of that!