Arsenal have officially completed the signing of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Serie A outfit Bologna. The Japanese international has inked a four-year deal with the Gunners, with the option of an additional year built into the contract. The transfer fee was not officially announced, but is rumoured to be around the £19.7m mark (23 million euros), inclusive of potential add-ons.
The 22-year-old Tomiyasu is a versatile defender, capable of playing both in the centre and the right side of defence. His arrival also paved for the way for Hector Bellerin, a right-back by trade, to seal a loan move to Spanish outfit Real Betis on deadline day.
The Gunners were reportedly interested in Barcelona right back Emerson Royal, but turned their attention to Tomiyasu after the Brazilian opted to join their bitter rivals Spurs.
Tomiyasu becomes Arsenal’s sixth major signing of the summer window after Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners have begun the season on a disastrous note and are bottom of the table after losses to Brentford, Chelsea and Man City. Tomiyasu could make his debut when Mikel Arteta’s men take on fellow strugglers Norwich at home after the international break.
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