Transfer profile: Nahuel Molina
Transfer profile: Nahuel Molina
By Tom Masters
The Premier League season is almost over, which means it’s that time of year again – the summer transfer window.
With that window fast approaching, clubs across the world are bracing themselves for what is set to be a frantic summer of business.
Arsenal are due to be one of the busiest clubs this summer, with owner Stan Kroenke supposedly giving Mikel Arteta £120m to spend.
And Arteta has identified several players he wishes to bring to the club, with one of those players being Udinese and Argentina right back Nahuel Molina.
Who is he?
The 24-year-old has 15 Argentina caps and seems destined to be on his way to a top club this summer, with the likes of Juventus and Atletico Madrid also chasing his signature.
According to Italian media outlet CalcioMercato, Arteta wants to bring Molina in this summer, with Pablo Mari included as part of the deal and permanently moving to Serie A after spending time on loan there this season.
Meanwhile, Football Italia is reporting that The Gunners are in pole position to sign the Argentine, with Juventus supposedly on the verge of pulling out of any business due to the reported £25 million asking price.
Molina really does fit into the mould of the modern Premier League full-back, with goals and assists very much part of his game, much like his colleagues Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joao Cancelo and Reece James, who have all revolutionised how their respective sides have played in recent seasons.
He has bagged seven goals in 34 Serie A appearances and also registered two assists, so he can certainly provide Arteta with a different option from Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has impressed at times this season as a more defensive-minded right back.
It seems likely that Portuguese defender Cedric will move to pastures new this summer.
And Arteta is now looking to build a squad capable of competing in European competition while also ensuring his side finishes in the top four in what is likely to be an incredibly competitive race for Champions League football next year.
Who else is Arteta looking at?
As well as Molina, the Spanish manager also has his sights set on Sao Paulo winger Marquinhos, Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans and Bologna defender Aaron Hickey.
At the same time, there are also links to the likes of Paulo Dybala, who is available on a free transfer.
One thing is for sure, Arteta will be looking to secure the services of at least four players, and if he can bring Molina in, he will be barking up the right tree, with the Argentine set to become one of the top right-backs in Europe over the coming years.
