Missed opportunity for Arsenal as reported target rules out summer move

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Arsenal have seemingly missed the boat over Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico, who has added another year to his contract at the Amsterdam Arena.

The Argentinian provided an update on his future via an official video from the club’s Twitter.

In it, he says: “I want to tell you that I will stay for one more season. Hopefully it will be a great year, like it is this year.”

Tagliafico is just one of a number of players to have impressed for Champions League semi-finalists Ajax this season.

The 26-year-old has made a total of 42 appearances for the Dutch giants so far this term, and has caught the eye with some brilliant attacking displays.

He only joined Ajax from Independiente in January 2018, and it had looked as though he would move on after just 18 months, but the defender has reaffirmed his committment to the club.

TBR’s view

The Gunners thought they’d received a boost over the potential transfer when reports surfaced in March (The Daily Mail) that the defender had rejected an offer of an improved deal.

It’s a big blow for Arsenal, who really need to invest in their defence this summer, with Tagliafico having stood out for the Dutch giants.

Unai Emery needs fresh impetus down the left especially, with Nacho Monreal out of contract and Sead Kolasinac yet to fully convince.

Perhaps the latest development will now see the Gunners turn their attention to Celtic’s Kieran Tierney, who has also been linked with a summer move to north London (The Sun).