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Arsenal urged to beat Man Utd and Juventus to make ‘statement signing’
ARSENAL should go all out to sign Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt this summer, claims former Gunners striker Paul Mariner.
Arsenal need to sign Matthijs de Ligt says Paul Mariner
De Ligt has been linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs after a fine season for Ajax.
Juventus are said to be the Dutchman’s preferred destination but Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are all said to be keen on him as well.
Reports claim PSG and United have agreed a deal with Ajax in case the defender does not join Juventus.
Arsenal need defensive reinforcements after conceding more goals than the likes of Wolves, Leicester and Newcastle in the Premier League last season.
Signing somebody like that is a statement signing
Mariner believes De Ligt would go a long way to solving Unai Emery’s issues at the back.
He reckons the 19-year-old could be part of the Arsenal side for the next decade.
However, Mariner admits it is very unlikely a deal could be done if an approach was made.
“The one thing that they need is a central defender,” Mariner told ESPN FC.
“There’s a guy floating around, he’s not quite signed for Juve, he’s not quite signed for Barca, whoever you want to talk to.
“The young Ajax player, he’s terrific. That’s exactly what you want.
“He’s a young kid, you can build a side around him.
“Ten years you’d get out of him, he’s a fantastic footballer.
“Go and start from those areas because in most Arsenal fans’ opinion, at the back is where they need to build.
“[Laurent] Koscielny is just going over the hill now.
“Signing somebody like that is a statement signing.
“But it’s never going to happen, I wish it would.
“Absolutely [he would be worth it].”