Arsenal ‘eye late’ raid on European outfit for £30m signing after Timber’s ‘serious injury’ blow | OneFootball

Alexander Bah in action for Benfica.

According to reports, Arsenal have joined the race to sign Benfica and Denmark defender Alexander Bah as they attempt to sign cover for Jurrien Timber.

The Gunners have spent over £200m on signings this summer as they have brought in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, David Raya and Timber.

Timber hit the ground running in his first couple of appearances for Arsenal but he was forced off during their 2-1 opening day victory against Nottingham Forest.

The Dutchman has had to undergo surgery after what’s been described as a ‘serious knee injury’ and he is set to be out of action for ‘months’.

Following this setback, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta admitted to reporters that they are “always open” to “reacting to the market”.

“Huge blow,” Arteta told reporters. “Especially for him after just joining the club.

“We recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident

“I’m more thinking about the resources in the team to do what we want to do. But it’s true he was giving us a lot on both sides.

“We are always open and we have to be open as well to the injuries but also to react to the market.

“It’s never my decision. It’s a lot of people. My focus is on getting the best out of the squad right now. That’s my aim.”

Danish outfit Tipsbladet (via The Evening Standard) are reporting that ‘Arsenal are eyeing a late move for Bah’.

The 25-year-old was recruited by Benfica last summer as they paid around £6.8m to sign the full-back from Slavia Prague.

The Denmark international made 42 appearances for Benfica across all competitions during his debut season as he helped them win the Primeira Liga.

The report adds: ‘Links to former Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, now at Barcelona, continue, while they are also now being linked with Alexander Bah.

‘Danish publication Tipsbladet claims that Arsenal are in the race for the Benfica defender, who could be available for between £26m-£30m as the Gunners apparently seek additional full-back cover following the serious knee injury sustained by new signing Jurrien Timber on his Premier League debut that could see him miss the entire season.’

Nuno Tavares, Rob Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Cedric Soares and Nicolas Pepe are mentioned as the players who could leave the Gunners in the next day or two.