Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta to sign Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill to strengthen his back line ahead of the new season.
The Premier League champions have already added Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis to their squad for a combined £109million, but defensive problems have prompted the club to seek another option at the back.
Pubill's rise at Atletico
Pubill joined Atletico from Almeria a year ago and has impressed, initially as a full-back before featuring regularly at centre-half after the turn of the year.
The 23-year-old Spain international played the full 90 minutes in each of Atletico's Champions League semi-final legs against Arsenal, with Arteta reportedly impressed by his performances.
Arsenal's pursuit
According to AS, Arteta immediately told Berta to 'make a move' for the defender, and the sporting director has approached his former employers over a transfer.
Arsenal were prepared to 'break the bank' to bring Pubill to north London, but the report suggests the move has stalled, with Atletico determined to keep the player and in talks over a new contract. Pubill is also said to be fully committed to the project in the Spanish capital.
Defensive injury crisis
Arsenal boast one of the strongest defences in club football, but injuries have become a growing concern. Jurrien Timber, Arteta's first-choice right-back, has not played since March due to a groin injury that ruled him out of the season run-in and the World Cup. He has returned to training, but no clear timescale for his return has been given.
Ben White, another option at right-back and centre-half, suffered a knee injury in May and missed the World Cup, though he is fit again and has featured in pre-season. William Saliba is sidelined with a back injury, having opted against surgery, and is likely to miss the opening months of the new campaign.
Arsenal have also explored a deal for another Atletico star, Julian Alvarez, but the Argentina international is reportedly keen to join Barcelona and is not interested in returning to England. Atletico, angered by Barcelona's public pursuit of the striker, are refusing to sell him to their domestic rivals.
