Arsenal are hoping to make a late transfer deadline day swoop for Benfica full-back Alexander Bah.
Mikel Arteta’s side are currently lacking depth in the full-back unit, especially after the long-term injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber. The Dutch defender would miss the majority of the 2023/24 season after suffering a serious knee injury during Arsenal’s season opener against Nottingham Forest. And as Kieran Tierney has joined Real Sociedad on loan, Arteta is now left with limited resources at full-back to compete in various competitions.
As a result, the Gunners are now under pressure to bring in cover for the injured Timber and they have reportedly identified Alexander Bah as a potential target. Bah, 25, was among Benfica’s best players last season, contributing to one goal and seven assists across all competitions. Despite Benfica’s reluctance to sell so late in the transfer window, the Denmark international could be available for a fee of around £26-30 million.
Alexander Bah would add huge value to Arsenal’s defence
Arsenal are still pushing hard to get a defensive signing done before Friday’s transfer deadline, with Arteta’s chief focus on bringing cover for the injured Timber.
The North London club currently have just two senior full-backs in the squad – Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Ben White is also an option but he is a natural centre-back, while Tomiyasu and Zinchenko have fitness issues, meaning it will be risky for Arteta to end the transfer window without signing a competent full-back.
As such, it makes perfect sense for Arsenal to get their hands on a new full-back and Alexander Bah would be a brilliant fit. Bah has played for many clubs during his career, having amassed 257 career appearances thus far. Surprisingly, the Dane has registered 25 goals and 47 assists from full-back, which demonstrates his attacking qualities.
He clearly a dynamic attacking impetus regardless of being a full-back by trade, and the attributes to contribute going forward could see Bah become a vital cog for the Gunners this season, on the opposite flank to Zinchenko. Should Bah be brought to the club, he will probably be used as a first-choice right-back. Primarily a right-back, the 25-year-old can also operate at right midfield and on the right wing, and such versatility is only going to boost Arteta’s squad depth.
All in all, Arsenal must look to close out a deal for Bah before the transfer window slams shut on Friday. Spending around £26-30 million for a player of his age, experience and traits would be a daylight robbery from the North Londoners.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.