Arsenal will renew their efforts to sign Ajax defender Gregory Van der Wiel this summer but will face competition from several Premier League clubs a Footy Bunker source tells us.
Arsene Wenger has already boosted his attacking numbers with the acquisitions of Lukas Podolski, Oliver Giroud and Santi Cazorla but is also keen to reinforce his defence.
A long-term injury to Bacary Sagna exposed the Gunners’ frailties in the full back position and Wenger wants to bring in top class cover should the Frenchman be forced onto the sidelines next season.
Van der Wiel has now re-emerged as a target as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract at Ajax with the North London club considering a £7 million bid with Chelsea and Newcastle United also providing competition for his signature.
Rumours have circulated that he is currently unhappy with the club after they failed offer him an extension to remain at the Amsterdam Arena where he has spent his entire career to date.
“When you go on to celebrate your 24th birthday, you expect a nice, lucrative contract from your club.” he was quoted as saying to Nusport.nl last week.
“That certainly will keep you happy, but it seems unlikely that I would be hearing any good offer from the club now. Playing at Ajax was always my dream, but now the club is making life difficult for me.
“Unfortunately, the policy of the club is not benefiting their youth players. I am always surprised why the Ajax youth players receive smaller salaries as compared to the players who come from elsewhere.”
The Holland international has endured a patchy last 18-months but is still widely regarded as one of the finest right backs in Europe after making the breakthrough at Ajax in 2007 before making his debut for the Oranje two years later.