How Arsenal will line up with Thiago Silva and William Saliba forming brick wall in defence if Arteta lands PSG legend
ARSENAL fans could be treated to a new-look defence if Mikel Arteta lands Thiago Silva for free this summer.
The Paris Saint-Germain legend is on course to be released by the French giants when his contract expires at the end of the season.
And that could pave the way for Arsenal to bring in the veteran defender to add some class and experience at the heart of the back line.
Silva, 35, will no doubt have plenty of offers with reports suggesting five Premier League sides as well as those in the MLS, China, Japan and Qatar are all eyeing up moves.
But 90min.com report Arsenal may even bring the Brazilian in to replace compatriot David Luiz, whose future remains uncertain amid a potential return to Benfica.
A source said: “Thiago is going to have his pick of clubs, once he decides where he wants to play.
“The chance to pick up a star like Thiago, despite his age, is clearly appealing and the interest in the Premier League is actually growing.”
Mikel Arteta is keen to recruit another centre-back when the transfer window opens to play alongside youngster William Saliba.
Dayot Upamecano, Samuel Umititi and Daniele Rugani are among the long list of names linked, while Pablo Mari could make his switch permanent.
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French teenager Saliba was signed last summer before returning to Saint-Etienne on loan for this season but has now come back with the French season cut short.
However, with Luiz, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi still struggling to fully convince, the Gunners boss would surely jump at the chance to bring in a quality defender.
That would allow Silva and Saliba to partner each other with first-choice full-backs Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney either side to complete a back four in front of Bernd Leno.
In front, it may also be a very different midfield with two new faces shielding in front of the defence.
Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey, 26, is high on Arsenal’s wish list – but only if they can afford his release clause of around £43.5million.
Another defensive midfielder the Gunners want is Marc Roca although the Espanyol man, 23, has attracted plenty of attention from AC Milan as well.
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Roca’s contract runs until 2022 but reports suggest he has a £35m release clause – significantly more than the £18m offer submitted by Bayern Munich last year.
In attack, there could be plenty of change depending on the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil.
But with no concrete idea of how the transfer window will play out, especially after the coronavirus crisis, the three could remain at the Emirates next season with record-signing Nicolas Pepe joining them going forward.