Arsenal In The Mix For This Belgian Fullback: Arteta Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a recent report from TuttoSport today, as relayed by PianetaMilan, is believed to be true, Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Club Brugge left fullback Maxim de Cuyper. But they are not alone in the race with Serie A giants AC Milan and London rivals West Ham United also keeping close tabs on the Belgian sensation.

After brief stints with KFC Heist and Blauw-Zwart, De Cuyper joined the academy ranks of Brugge during his early teenage. He was eventually promoted to their senior set-up, however, a regular first-team status was only attained following a spell with the reserves in the second tier. The 24-year-old Belgium international was then sent on loan to Westerlo who eventually tied him down for a second successive season after a top-flight promotion in 2022.

The success with Westerlo helped him secure a starting role at his boyhood club. He has so far appeared 98 times for Club Brugge and made his presence known down the left with 6 goals and 21 assists across competitions [stats via Transfermarket]. De Cuyper holds all the traits of a modern-day fullback as he loves to whip in crosses, cut inside and link up with fellow attackers by making marauding runs.

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 10: Davide Frattesi of Italy competes for the ball with Maxim De Cuyper of Belgium during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on October 10, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

The Belgian hotshots have set a valuation of €25m for the talented defender who is now gearing up for their Champions League Round of 16 encounter against Aston Villa. Although the Rossoneri representatives contacted De Cuyper’s entourage, Arsenal are also expected to speak with the player’s camp later this week.

The Gunners were flying high in the Premier League until recently when they dropped points in back-to-back games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Despite having a game in hand, Mikel Arteta’s men must overcome a 13-point deficit to conquer the coveted crown. Injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli derailed the chase as the Spaniard is now forced to play his central midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre-forward with no outright ‘number 9’ available.

Why Arsenal Should Step Up The Chase

However, they have quite a few options with Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and the emerging teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly challenging each other for first-team football. Yet the North London hotshots could look for a reshuffle on the left.

Zinchenko, who has only settled for a bit-part role, could part ways in the summer. Also, outcast Tierney has already penned a pre-contract agreement to make an emotional return to Celtic on a Bosman. Calafiori is more of a hybrid central defender who is also comfortable as a left fullback. And Lewis-Skelly, only 18, should not be overutilized considering the risk of burnout and long-term fitness woes. De Cuyper, therefore, would be a welcome addition as the Gunners are likely to have a busy window upon the conclusion of the ongoing campaign.