Report: Arsenal want Eintracht Frankfurt and Austria defender Martin Hinteregger

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Arsenal have Eintracht Frankfurt defender Martin Hinteregger on their radar ahead of the January transfer window.

According to the print edition of The Sun (November 7, page 58), Arsenal could launch a bid for Hinteregger. Unai Emery wants some defensive reinforcements and has his sights set on Hinteregger.

Arsenal have struggled to keep clean sheets this season despite using various combinations of defenders. David Luiz, Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding have all been used in central defence.

Meanwhile, Arsenal signed William Saliba in the summer but he is spending the season on loan at Saint-Etienne. Emery is not ready to wait for Saliba’s return and he wants an instant fix.

Hinteregger is a potential target for January. The 27-year-old has amassed nearly 150 Bundesliga appearances during spells with Frankfurt and Augsburg. He also played over 200 games for Red Bull Salzburg.

With three goals in nine league matches this season, the Austria international is also a threat from set-pieces. Premier League rivals and London neighbours West Ham are also reportedly keen on Hinteregger.

TBR’s view

Hinteregger would cost more than £20m, according to this report. At that price, Arsenal need to be looking elsewhere. He is not necessarily the quick fix that will solve all of Emery’s problems.

Mustafi could be on his way out but Saliba is coming in next year. Arsenal would be best advised to save their funds for a top-class centre-half next summer, like Dayot Upamecano or Samuel Umtiti.