'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the rumour?
Arsenal are in a spot of bother right now with problems mounting up on all fronts. Arsene Wenger has decided to address their defensive concerns and has identified Atletico Madrid's Jose Maria Gimenez as their top summer transfer target, according to Express (via El Gol Digital).
In case you didn't know...
Arsenal's defending has been shambolic in recent times and this was explicit in their humiliating defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Jose Maria Gimenez is an Uruguayan international and is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe at the age of just 23.
He had fallen out of favour at Atletico Madrid earlier this season but has played his way back into the team and has been a regular feature in Diego Simeone's side.
The heart of the matter
With Laurent Koscielny stepping into the twilight of his career and Shkodran Mustafi looking unreliable at the back, it is high time that Arsenal got some defensive reinforcements to get back to being the stalwarts they used to be in Europe.
Arsenal had been vying for Lazio's Stefan De Vrij's signature but have been unsuccessful in their attempts and have now seemingly given up on their pursuit of the 26-year-old Dutchman.
De Vrij had rejected a contract extension at the Serie A club and is all set to leave in the summer- a fact that has been reiterated by Lazio sporting director Igli Tare who said they are all set to 'say goodbye' to the defender with whom they couldn't come to an agreement on a new deal.
Arsenal are in desperate need of a solid presence at the back as they have conceded the most number of goals among the top 6 teams in the Premier League.
Per Mertesacker will retire at the end of the season and youngsters Calum Chambers and Rob Holding haven't been quite convincing for the Gunners this season.
Arsenal will need to prise Gimenez out of Atletico as the 23-year-old has 2 and a half years remaining on his current contract.
Rumour probability/rating: 5/10
El Gol Digital is not a very reliable source for transfer news and readers should take this with a pinch of salt.
Video
Author's Take
Arsenal desperately need to sign some quality defenders or their bad spell is just going to continue. Their season looks like it can't be salvaged and the fans will be hoping to see some intent and ambition in the transfer market in the summer.
Jose Gimenez will be a great addition to their backline and is definitely one for the future.
