Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu

The Gunners want to bring in a new defender with Hector Bellerin set to leave the club

Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tottenham linked defender Takehiro Tomiyasu being linked to Leicester (Image: (Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images))

Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for a fee in the region of £17million, JoriPress can confirm.

The 22-year-old was targeted by Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham earlier in the window, but they have decided to pursue a move for Real Betis star Emerson Royal instead.

Japan international Tomiyasu can play at centre back and right back and is seen as a versatile option who will bolster the Gunners' defence.

Tomiyasu is expected to undergo a medical in Italy today, with Hector Bellerin also close to sealing a move to Real Betis.

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The right back, who has two years remaining on his current contract, wants to leave north London this summer after spending over a decade at the club, and has previously revealed his affinity with Betis after his dad bought him a Los Verdiblancos shirt when he was growing up.

Betis sporting director Antonio Cordon met with Bellerin's agent at their club offices in June to discuss a potential move and it's understood the Spaniard will undergo a medical in Seville on Tuesday afternoon ahead of completing the move.

Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson will undergo a medical ahead of completing a loan move to Feyenoord.

As first revealed by JoriPress, Nelson will sign a one-year contract extension before joining the Dutch giants.

Nelson has seemed unlikely to have a future with Arsenal for some time. Following a successful loan spell with Hoffenheim in 2018/19, the now 21-year-old went on to make 22 appearances for the Gunners during the next campaign, netting three goals.

Since then though, the Hale End academy graduate has only been afforded a further 10 outings for the first team, having been somewhat restricted to U23s football.