Arsenal an 'option' for Sergio Reguilon despite Kieran Tierney form but Man Utd pose issue

Arsenal are reportedly an option for Sergio Reguilon but Manchester United have the financial firepower to beat the Gunners to the Real Madrid left-back if both clubs look to sign the Spaniard.

Posted Tuesday, September 08, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal are a serious option for Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon this summer, it has been claimed, despite the superb form of Kieran Tierney in the position. The Scot moved to the Emirates a year ago after Arsenal long kept tabs on his progress up at Celtic.

The Gunners paid £25million to prise him from the Scottish champions but injury problems hampered his progress for much of his first season in north London.

That was until the Premier League restart, which afforded Tierney time to rediscover full fitness.

The 23-year-old was one of Arsenal's most consistent performers from June onwards and even filled in as a left-sided centre-back in a back three or as a wing-back on some occasions.

Tierney played centrally as Arsenal beat Manchester City in the semi-finals and Chelsea in the final to win the FA Cup at Wembley last month.

The Scotland international was also deployed as a centre-half in the penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool in the Community Shield two weeks ago.

And according to Spanish journalist Alvaro Montero, Arsenal are a real challenger to Manchester United for the signing of Real Madrid defender Reguilon this summer.

Arsenal an 'option' for Sergio Reguilon despite Kieran Tierney form but Man Utd pose issue

Reguilon, 23, was brilliant for Sevilla last term as they won the Europa League and produced three goals and five assists in 38 games across all competitions, but has now returned to parent club Real.

However, with Ferland Mendy and Marcelo ahead of him in the pecking order at the Bernabeu, Reguilon could leave if Los Blancos receive offers meeting their £27m valuation of the player this summer.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton have all previously been linked but it has been suggested that United have been offered the chance to sign the Spain international, who made his senior debut for his country on Sunday against Ukraine.

And despite having Tierney as their first-choice left-back option, with Sead Kolasinac as their back-up, it has been claimed Mikel Arteta could look to bring his countryman to north London.

"There are two options [in the Premier League] - Arsenal and Manchester United," Madrid-based reporter Montero told Sky Sports News.

"Also Sevilla, here in Spain, the thing is as we said a few days ago, Real Madrid want to sell him but with a buy-back option.

"So in case he does a fabulous season like he has done this year in Sevilla, Real Madrid can sign him again next year.

"The player likes the idea of travelling to England and playing in the Premier League.

"United and Arsenal will be the options but it's going to be a problem of money, as it happens with all the players."

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano meanwhile said of the playerat the weekend: "Reguilon has been offered to Man Utd and they’re gonna decide soon."

United have choices at left-back already with Luke Shaw their first choice and academy graduate Brandon Williams a solid deputy, although he is right-footed.

Diogo Dalot and Timothy Fosu-Mensah can also fill in on the left-side of defence, so it remains to be seen whether or not United will take up Real Madrid on the chance to sign Reguilon.

But the Red Devils would be able to financially outmuscle Arsenal and Sevilla if they do look to sign him, with the Gunners short on cash before player sales.

Their signing of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille this month, which cost an initial £22m rising to £27m, means they have very little free cash to spend on new additions.

United though have more flexibility and with no deal yet in place for Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, have money available to spend on Reguilon right away should they wish to sign him as competition for Shaw and Williams.

At Arsenal, however, on top of Gabriel, Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares have joined permanently while Willian has signed from Chelsea on a free and Dani Ceballos has been re-signed on loan from Real Madrid.

Quite whether Arsenal's apparent interest in Reguilon is genuine or whether their name is being used to help put the pressure on United and other clubs to make a move remains to be seen.

If Arteta truly does want to sign the Spaniard, and wishes to beat United to his signing, he may perhaps see Tierney playing as the left-sided centre-back in a back three in the long term.

However, the 38-year-old has a host of options in central defence away from Tierney including left-footed duo Gabriel and Mari, William Saliba, David Luiz, Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Sokratis.

It is not yet known whether Holding, Mustafi, Chambers and Sokratis will still be Arsenal players when the window shuts on October 5.

It was thought Holding was headed on loan to Newcastle but a deal has stalled since the 24-year-old defender played the full 90 minutes in the Community Shield win over Liverpool.