Arsenal make transfer decision on 25-year-old star amidst interest from Serie A champions Inter Milan: Reports
Arsenal have no desire to offload Takehiro Tomiyasu, according to Football Insider. The Japanese right-back was in and out of Mikel Arteta's starting XI last campaign and is currently nursing a knee injury. He has yet to make an appearance this season.
The Japanese defender arrived at the Emirates from Bologna in 2021 and has been a handy squad option under Arteta so far. Last season, he appeared 30 times across competitions for the north London side, 16 of which were starts.
The 25-year-old is adept at playing across the backline and his versatility makes him a key figure for the Gunners. Tomiyasu played at right-back as well as left-back for Arsenal last season, while also filling in at center-back on the odd occasion.
The Gunners brought in Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna this summer, raising doubts about the Japanese's future. Tomiyasu ended up staying at the Emirates but is now wanted back in Serie A.
Inter Milan are apparently keeping a close eye on the player and want him in 2025. The Nerazzurri are sweating on the future of Denzel Dumfries, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old is already linked with an exit from the San Siro next year and the Serie A champions are looking for a replacement. They believe Tomiyasu could be the ideal candidate for the job and are planning a move at the turn of the year. The Japanese is proven in Italy and has 64 appearances under his belt with Bologna.
However, Arsenal have no desire to let him go. Tomiyasu signed a new deal with the Gunners earlier this year and is under contract until 2026. The north London side also have the option of an additional year.
Arsenal could look to keep Takehiro Tomiyasu in January
Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last season, finishing two points behind champions Manchester City. Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring the coveted trophy back to the Emirates after a two-decade absence.
The Gunners are also competing in the Champions League as well as domestic competitions. Arteta would want to keep his squad intact and letting someone like Takehiro Tomiyasu leave in the winter could come back to haunt him.
With a long season ahead and games coming in thick and fast, the north London side will need all their options at hand. The Japanese's ability to fill in at multiple positions at the back could make him a vital cog for Arsenal as the season progresses.
If they do sell Tomiyasu, they might need to look for a replacement. The Gunners currently have the likes of Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori in their fullback positions.