Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest Arsenal player to be linked with a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium. The Japan international has enjoyed a stellar start to the 2023/24 campaign, producing a number of excellent performances in several different defensive positions.
Now, Tomiyasu is claimed to be a target for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, with German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg reporting that the Bavarian giants are keen to prise the 25-year-old away from north London. Writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), Plettenberg said: "Excl. News #Tomiyasu: As revealed yesterday FC Bayern was extremely pushing for the 25 y/o in summer.
"Main reason: Versatile player who can play at centre-back and right/left-back. #arsenal Bayern would love to sign him in winter but Arsenal doesn’t want to let him go
"At this stage he’s not for sale; Bayern informed about it. Bayern will keep monitoring the player's situation towards a potential move next summer. @SkySportDE."
Tomiyasu has helped the Gunners become the best defensive side in the Premier League this term, keeping the joint-most clean sheets after 12 games and conceding the joint-least goals with 10, whilst also comfortably registering the least xGA (expected goals against), as per Understat, in the division. Of course, the thought of a move to Bayern can seem like a promising prospect but if Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's previous comments are anything to go by, the Spaniard values Tomiyasu as an integral member of his squad.
"I always said that I’m really confident that the moment Tomi has consistency, he’s going to be a tremendous asset for us," Arteta said of the former Bologna star back in September.
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"He already is. He can play in any position in the backline, any formation in the backline, we don’t have another player like him.
"At defending, he’s probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations. His concepts, his principles, the way he applies that, the way he goes into duels…now he needs a run of games so that physically he’s at his best.
"If physically, Tomi is at his best, we’re going to have a player that is so important for us."
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