Arsenal heavily linked with a move for Filip Benkovic

Arsenal’s interest have been drawn to the availability of Dinamo Zagreb’s youngster Filip Benkovic ahead of the January transfer window. As per report from the Mirror, the Gunners are keenly interested in the 20-year-old who himself has been linked with a move to one of the top four leagues in Europe.

It is reported that Arsenal are prepared to challenge arch rivals Tottenham and Chelsea for the defender despite having not had enough top flight experience under his belt. The lad has recorded 22 appearances for Zagreb in the last two seasons but seem to have convinced the world that he could cut the mustard on the big scenes.

The Arsenal’s defence is fast aging, with the likes of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny at the odd side of 30. Hence the need to blood fresh legs into their defence requires urgent attention.

That is where Benkovic comes in. standing at 6’‘4”, he stands toe-to-toe with Mertesacker and could be a reliable understudy to the German veteran if he eventually signs for the Gunners. Also, he possesses an aerial threat whilst going forward, as he has scored three goals this term despite operating centrally as a defender.

Rated at €20million-rated star, the Premier League clubs could conveniently fork out such amount without batting an eyelid, particularly Arsenal who have had it tough lately. Injury to Shkodran Mustafi has seen Wenger’s side falter in games they ought to win, grinding out results against lower oppositions whilst losing to the top dogs in the league, making it difficult for even fans involved in matched betting to predict the outcome of their games.

His current contract with Zagreb runs until the summer of 2022 which puts the Croatian giants in full control over the player’s future but he could yet leave if Wenger manages to place the right amount. Meanwhile, Inter Milan are reported to also be keen on the defender.