The five best free agent defenders Arsenal could target this summer

Sergio Ramos

From Sergio Ramos to Danny Rose - Who are the five best free agent defenders Arsenal could target this summer?

By Jonny Bray

It’s not the best summer to be scouring the market for defensive free transfers.   

The scarce list of players good enough to represent Arsenal got even shorter when David Alaba signed for Real Madrid in late May.

There is still quality out there but Arsenal will have to move quickly if they are to replicate Barcelona’s fine form in the free transfer market so far this summer.

If Arsenal move quickly and intelligently in the free transfer market, it could free up funds for more marquee signings elsewhere, whilst also adding depth, leadership, and skill to what is a relatively weak Arsenal side.

Here are some of the defenders they could look at.

Sergio Ramos - Centre-back – Age: 35

At centre-back there is one stand out candidate, Sergio Ramos.

Ramos’s contract at Real Madrid expires on 30th June this year, and the papers are filled with rumours of his imminent departure from the relatively cash strapped Los Blancos.

This may seem like a fantasy to some, but stranger signings have got across the line, such as when Bolton signed the Madrid legend Fernando Hierro in the summer of 2004.

If he were able to pull of this massive coup, it would probably be the first time anyone compared Mikel Arteta to ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce.

High wages could be an issue but his arrival would go a long way to solving the obvious weaknesses in defence for the Gunners.

He could also prove to be an outstanding partner and mentor for Arsenal’s young up-and-comer William Saliba.

The signing of Ramos would also add a world-class leader to a side that lacks experience at the highest level.

Gary Cahill – Centre-back – Age: 35 

In an indicator of the free transfer market this summer, the first two suggestions on this list would probably receive drastically different responses by fans at The Emirates.

While Ramos would surely be welcomed as a hero, it’s equally likely that Gary Cahill would be met with a chorus of groans were he to sign on a free transfer.

However, he may be the one former Chelsea player that Arsenal should have signed first-time round, prior to his move to Crystal Palace.

Cahill proved he has plenty left in the tank and was undoubtedly Palace’s best defender during the 2019/2020 season.

That season, Palace conceded just 50 goals and kept ten clean sheets. In contrast, this season they conceded 66 goals and kept eight clean sheets, thanks in part to Cahill’s injury troubles.

Despite being an unpopular choice considering his time with Chelsea, he has something to add to the squad.

Cahill is set to become a free agent on 30th June after being named on the Premier League’s official list of released players from each top-flight club.

Gary Cahill


Javi Martinez – Centre-back – Age: 32

Javi Martinez is a born winner, as shown by the fact that he won the Bundesliga in all nine of his seasons on German soil.

The Spaniard will become a free agent on 30th June. He has also starred on the international stage for Spain and is a consistent performer with at least another two years of football at the highest level left in him.

Arsenal should jump at this opportunity to acquire one of the world’s most versatile and decorated players.

Elseid Hysaj – Right-back – Age: 27

Elseid Hysaj will be a free transfer as of 30th June and could be ideal cover at right-back if Hector Bellerin leaves this summer.

The Albanian has 59 caps for his country and has enjoyed six seasons in Serie A for Napoli, where he was a regular starter.

He was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea during the 2018/19 season and would be a very solid acquisition for any of the Premier League’s top sides.

He is also versatile, having plied his trade at left-back and at right-midfielder throughout his career.  Hysaj has been linked with Lazio, but it’s certainly not too late for Arteta to try to secure his signature.

Danny Rose – Left-back – Age: 30

Hear me out!  

Danny Rose was at one point one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. 

He is still only 30, has a lot to prove and could be tempted to take a low wage considering the opportunity to finally play at a top club.

We all saw how keen he was to play at the highest level when he, somewhat desperately, asked Daniel Levy if AC Milan had come in for him on the All or Nothing documentary series.

It’s clear that he’s one of the most attractive free agent options at left-back, with his closest competition coming from Crystal Palace’s Patrick Van Aanholt.

Arsenal could do worse that sign a proven Premier League player as cover for Kieran Tierney at left-back.   

Image Credit: Getty Images

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