Report: Tomiyasu was offered to clubs but only Arsenal were interested

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Takehiro Tomiyasu was offered to clubs in the Premier League with Arsenal the only team interested in the defender, according to Sky Sports (31/08, 21:53).

What’s the story?

With Hector Bellerin itching for a move away from north London, the Gunners needed a right-back.

And it seems they were offered the Bologna player in an opportune transfer.

Reports did emerge over the course of this summer about the Japan international.

Different clubs were reportedly interested, including Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the Saints signed Valentino Livramento. Meanwhile, Spurs struggled to agree on the structure of payments for the Japanese ace. As a result, the club moved on to other targets, and signed Barcelona’s Emerson Royal.

Arsenal, seemingly, swooped in to take the defender on a four-year contract in a deal worth £16m.

However, it now seems Mikel Arteta’s men may have been alone in their bid to sign the player.

Tomiyasu transfer seems strange

While you would not judge transfers based on rumours, the latest news does seem worrying.

Arsenal were in for a right-back after the situation surrounding Bellerin.

So, you would hope the Gunners had a lengthy list of players they could target.

However, the latest reports claiming Tomiyas was offered to Arsenal suggest he fell into the club’s lap.

It is even more worrying that other teams opted not to sign the 22-year-old.

Southampton and Tottenham were both offered and rejected chances if you believe the latest reports. So, why did either club turn down the ace?

From first viewing, the player does not seem to be the most attacking of full-backs.

He registered no assists and created just eight chances throughout last season, as per Opta. When compared to Kieran Tierney, it is like chalk and cheese.

It begs a question over whether the ace is good enough offensively to fit into Arteta’s plans.