Arsenal open talks with Championship club over possible transfer of 27-year-old defender: Reports

Arsenal have started talks with Leicester City over the possibility of signing Timothy Castagne, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tafloyere.

Arsenal finished second in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season and are determined to build on the progress they have made under Mikel Arteta. They have set their sights on taking the next step in their development by making important additions to their squad this summer.

Arsenal have identified longtime West Ham United captain Declan Rice as a key target ahead of the 2023-24 season. They are expected to make a club record £90m bid for the England international in the coming days. Arteta’s squad also features Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Meanwhile, the North London giants are also keen on signing the right-back this summer. They currently have Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu but want to add a more traditional full-back to their ranks.

This is how Leicester defender Castañe appeared as a target for Arsenal, according to the aforementioned source. Arsenal are said to have opened talks with the Foxes to discuss a possible transfer.

The 27-year-old Castagne is contracted to Leicester until 2025 but could be available for transfer after the club suffers relegation. Negotiations for a deal could progress quickly, according to the report.

The Belgium international joined the Foxes from Serie A club Atalanta for £21.5m in 2020. Since then, he has made 112 appearances across competitions for the club, scoring five goals and eight assists.

Castagne is an attack-minded right-back who will offer Arsenal a different option compared to the Whites. He is also comfortable playing as a left-back, which allows him to play as an inverted full-back in Arteta’s system.

However, it should be noted that Castagne is behind Ivan Fresneda on the Gunners shortlist. The Real Valladolid right-back, who has a £17m release clause, remains his favorite target, according to the aforementioned report.

Arsenal reach an agreement with William Saliba to extend the contract

William Saliba played a pivotal role in Arsenal winning the Premier League title in the 2022-23 season. Such was the impact of the defender that Arsenal failed to win six of their last 11 league games after suffering a back injury. This rut ​​allowed Manchester City to take the lead and win the title.

There were doubts about Saliba’s future at the Emirates Stadium, as his current contract will expire next year. With talks unsuccessful, there were fears he might join PSG. However, Arsenal have now been successful in their efforts to reach an agreement with the centre-back.

Mikel Arteta’s side have reached an agreement with Saliba on a new four-year deal. The defender has committed his future to the North London giants despite attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League and beyond. Saliba thus joins Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdal and Gabriel Magalhaes in signing a new deal at the Emirates.