Arsenal Eye Spanish Left-Back As Zinchenko Alternative

Arsenal are exploring the prospect of making a move for Anderlecht left-wing-back Sergio Gomez, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have reportedly entered the running for Manchester City full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko in response to missing out on Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez.

With Martinez Manchester United-bound, David Ornstein from The Athletic suggests that Arsenal are now working on a deal for Zinchenko, with City willing to allow the Ukraine international to leave the Premier League champions.

Zinchenko isn’t alone on the North Londoners’ shortlist, however, with the club also reportedly tracking Anderlecht’s Gomez.

According to Romano, the Spanish full-back has emerged as a target for Arsenal after just a season in Belgium.

Gomez caught the eye in the Pro League after registering five goals and 12 assists in 34 league games for Anderlecht, previously managed by ex-City captain Vincent Kompany.

The 21-year-old follows a similar mould to that of Martinez and the freshly-linked Zinchenko.

Whilst originally playing more centrally, Gomez has since been deployed wider as a left-back or wing-back.

Picked up from Barcelona at a young age, Gomez was signed as a playmaker from Borussia Dortmund whilst being touted as one of the most promising products coming out of La Masia.

The move to Germany in 2018 did little for the Spaniard, however, appearing in just three official games for the Bundesliga outfit before being loaned out to Huesca in the Spanish second division.

After a disappointing return of one goal and four assists across 67 league appearances out on loan, Dortmund finally decided to cut their losses and sell Gomez to Anderlecht last year, costing the Belgians £2m.

Instead of playing centrally, or further up the flank, Gomez excelled from defence as a converted left-back and eclipsed his otherwise muted seasonal goal contributions.

The Spain under-21 international is now catching Arsenal’s attention as one of the options to support the injury-plagued Kieran Tierney.

The arrival of Gomez, or even Zinchenko, is likely to have a knock-on effect on Nuno Tavares’ future, with the recent import also linked with a move away.

According to Romano, the Portuguese wing-back has been placed on Atalanta’s agenda in the past, whereas recent reports suggest Olympique Marseille also hold an interest in the ex-Benfica man.