Report: Arsenal now leading the race to sign ‘outstanding’ £20m-rated star as backup to Tomiyasu

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According to a report from The Sun, Arsenal and Manchester United are leading the race to sign Norwich City defender Max Aarons this summer.

The 22-year-old has been one of the Canaries’ brightest prospects over the last few years. He has constantly been linked with a move away from Carrow Road, but Norwich have managed to keep hold of him until now.

However, it is very likely that Aarons will leave Norwich this summer, when he enters the final two years of his contract.

The Canaries are at the bottom of the Premier League table and it is looking very likely that they will go down. That could make Aarons available for a bargain fee and a number of clubs are expected to pounce if that’s the case.

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Arsenal leading the race to sign Max Aarons

According to the report, along with frontrunners Arsenal and Manchester United, Germain giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also keen to sign the talented full-back.

It has been claimed that while United are assessing their options to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arsenal view the Norwich City man as a perfect fit for their blueprint of signing young English players.

Norwich reportedly value Aarons at around £20 million, which shouldn’t be a problem for either Arsenal or Manchester United to afford this summer.

However, whether the young Englishman would be interested in moving to a club where he won’t be the first choice is anybody’s guess at this moment in time.

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Tomiyasu backup?

Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice right-back is Takehiro Tomiyasu. He has been absolutely brilliant for the Gunners since his deadline day move from Bologna, but his injury this year has left the Gunners in a really difficult position.

Cedric Soares has filled in at right-back in Tomiyasu’s absence and to be fair to the Portugal international, he has done well. However, he will turn 31 this summer and it won’t be a surprise if Arsenal decide to move him on.

A young, hungry right-back like Max Aarons would be a great option to replace Cedric at Arsenal. Branded as ‘outstanding’ by Daniel Farke, he has the potential to reach the very top, but the competition for his signature is high.

It will be interesting too how this pans out in the coming months but if Arsenal can get him as a backup to Tomiyasu, it would be a fantastic move.