Arsenal are currently in talks with Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner over a potential move this summer. According to recent reports, the new Gunners boss Unai Emery is eager to recruit the Swiss skipper during this summer transfer period. The 34-year-old will soon become a free agent after his current contract with Juventus runs out at the end of next month.
The Juve defender is all set to lead his nation out in this summer’s FIFA World Cup which kicks off in Russia in a few weeks time. Some sources are now claiming that the Swiss right-back could be Emery’s first signing as the new Arsenal manager.
Lichtsteiner signed for Juve from Lazio in the summer of 2011 and was previously linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund after he confirmed that he was about to leave the Juventus Stadium this summer. In a recent interview, the Swiss full-back weighed in on his future and was quoted to have said, “I’m playing in one of the biggest clubs in Europe and there’s always competition for places,”
“But my future is going to be away from Turin. At the end of the season I’m leaving. I’ll play abroad next year but I’ve not signed anything yet.”
Lichtsteiner has won the league in each of his last seven seasons at the Turin club which indicates that he knows what it takes to win. Hence, he will be a shrewd signing for the Gunners if they can convince the defender to ply his trade at the Emirates Stadium next season.
The North Londoners were only able to secure a 6th placed finish in the Premier League last season which means that they will be without UEFA Champions League football for at least another year. Hence, Emery is in dire need to bring in some top-class talents in this summer transfer window so that his team can compete for some major silverware next year.
The addition of Lichtsteiner will undoubtedly bolster Emery’s defensive options ahead of the new season. Arsenal have a whole host of defenders such as Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Callum Chambers competing for a right-back berth at the Emirates Stadium. The potential acquisition of Lichtsteiner will add more competition for places within the Gunners squad and improve their team significantly in the upcoming campaign.
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At 32, the Swiss international still has a few years left in him to play at a high level which the London giants could look to capitalise on, in the next few years. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Lichtsteiner and whether the Gunners can manage to convince him to join Unai Emery’s revolution at the North London club next season.
