According to The Athletic, Arsenal are considering a move for Mert Muldur. The US Sassuolo fullback has emerged as the latest player to be linked with a move to Emirates, with Mikel Arteta determined to sign a right-back in the summer. Muldur is a part of the large contingent of Turkish players playing in Serie A, but his success may soon lead him to England.
Who Is Mert Muldur?
A product of the Rapid Wien youth academy in Austria, Mert Muldur arrived in Italy in 2019, for a fee of just €4.5 million. He was initially brought in to provide competition for another new signing in Jeremy Toljan.
However, it appears Muldur has left the ex-Dortmund star in the pecking order, becoming a useful asset for Sassuolo. He has already notched up 28 appearances this past season, helping the club finish in the top eight.
A right-back by trade, Muldur has impressed the onlookers with his all-round game. Growing up, his idol was Sergio Ramos, so essentially, the 22-year-old is not shy when it comes to putting his body on the line. He also happens to be an excellent reader of the game which allows him to create turnovers out wide.
However, what makes Muldur such a sought-after prospect is his versatility. Although primarily a right-back, the Turkish international can play as a wingback, a left-back and even a centre-back. He most notably played as a left-back for Turkey in UEFA Euro 2020.
Can Muldur Solve Arteta’s Problems?
Arsenal are facing a precarious situation as far as their fullback department is concerned. Especially on the right, Mikel Arteta has no viable alternative for Hector Bellerin, who faces an uncertain future at the club.
Cedric Soares was brought in from Southampton in January, but the Portuguese international hasn’t done much to impress his new club. Meanwhile, Arsenal also lack depth on the opposite flank where the club is likely to offload Sead Kolasinac, effectively leaving Kieran Tierney as the only option.
That is where someone like Mert Muldur could be an ideal option for the Gunners. As mentioned earlier, the Sassuolo star is a balanced fullback who knows how to juggle between attack and defence.
But perhaps most importantly, the Turkish international is capable of playing on both flanks. At Arsenal, he could ideally be a replacement for Bellerin, but the 22-year-old can also provide cover for the injury-prone Tierney on the opposite flank – making him an ideal buy for the Gunners.
