Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac – their first transfer of the summer.
An agreement over a four-year deal for Kolasinac, who is a 23-year-old free agent, was reached last month and he will join formally when the transfer window opens.
The Bosnian attracted interest from top clubs in the Premier League and across Europe and was the subject of a failed bid from Chelsea in January. Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, Juventus and AC Milan were all also keenly monitoring the defender.
But Arsene Wenger had been tracking the Bosnia and Herzegovina international for some time and the Gunners, after opening negotiations in April, staved off fierce competition to land their man on a ‘long-term contract’.
Kolasinac, who was born in Germany, has a German passport and represented the country from U18 to U20 level before switching his allegiance to Bosnia. He can also play at centre-back or as a defensive midfielder.
😉 @Rambsiee #WelcomeKolasinac pic.twitter.com/uaYX5O3QKo
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 6, 2017
Wenger has suggested over the last week that he may only add a maximum of three players in this summer’s window.
He also said in May: “We have a very big squad at the moment that is already difficult enough to manage,” he said. “A bigger squad is impossible. If we finish outside the top four, it will maybe be down to one point. One point would be difficult to swallow but that should not as well change the judgment on the quality of the team to a way where you think you have absolutely to change everything.”
Wenger has also been spotted in the south of France over the last few days as the club continue their pursuit of one of Europe’s hottest young talents – Kylian Mbappe.
COMMENTS