Arsenal are poised to re-enter the transfer market to try and sign Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida before the deadline at 5 pm tomorrow evening.
The Croatian’s stock has never been higher following a summer of great success with his country at the World Cup in Russia. Vida was an instrumental part of manager Zlatko Dalic’s squad for the tournament and impressed with his commanding displays at centre back alongside Dejan Lovren.
The 29-year-old has been playing for Turkish side Besiktas at club level since January, but only made 13 appearances for the team and was sent off in their last-16 Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
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According to The Evening Standard, Liverpool are also interested in the defender but Arsenal look to be in pole position to sign him before the transfer window closes tomorrow, as they prepare to match Besiktas’ £26.9 million valuation.
New Gunners boss Unai Emery has already brought in Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund to strengthen the team’s backline ahead of the new season, but with only Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding as additional centre-half options, he could see Vida as the perfect final recruit.
The ES also reports that any deal is dependant on Arsenal first offloading a player or two, having already spent £70 million in total this summer. Lucas Perez is due to complete a £5 million move across London to West Ham but the club may also have to allow Danny Welbeck or David Ospina to leave in order to free up some funds for Vida.