Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterArsenal could be about to sign another defender before the transfer window closes.The Gunners are clear in their intention to upgrade an attack that stuttered at times during their Premier League-winning campaign but are yet to sign a big-money forward, with just left-winger Christos Tzolis added for a modest fee.Yet the temptation to bring in yet another defensive face might be too much for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to resist, with an opportunity having arisen in recent days.Arsenal in for another defensive signingArteta has improved his defence and defensive midfield this summer, with acquisitions for Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes totalling over �120 million.And now, ESPN Brazil says that the champions could be about to spend on another defender in the form of Santos teenager Joao Ananias. You may like Arsenal 'unlikely' to secure William Saliba backup, in yet ANOTHER transfer blow: report Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez moves tied up, with defensive cover sorted: Arsenal's dream transfer window Arsenal signing Ezri Konsa is a sign of modern football: do they even need him? The Gunners are among a throng of clubs interested in the 19-year-old, which includes Brentford, Atletico Madrid and Besiktas, with only the Istanbul-based outfit submitting a concrete offer so far.The report states that Benfica came close to signing Ananias for �6 million in June, though failed to come to an agreement with Santos, who are using those negotiations as a reference point for any new talks.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The centre-back is under contract until 2030, but with the Alvinegro's financial situation demanding sales, a departure could help to balance the books.In adding Konsa to their squad, Arsenal now have eight players who can play in central defence, with Ben White, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Pierro Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori the other seven.FourFourTwo understands that the club are exercising caution around the back injury that Saliba sustained during the World Cup, while Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Zubimendi are all candidates to play at full-back in a pinch but it would not be unusual for Arteta to bring in another centre-back to develop.Rob Holding was used as an emergency option towards the end of his Arsenal career, with the Gunners bringing the long-serving centre-back to shore up the backline and offer experience, even from the bench.16-year-old Marli Salmon has made four appearances for Arsenal's senior side in defence, too, and may well feature across this campaign.Ananias is worth 500k, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal face Aston Villa when Premier League action continues next weekend.TOPICSArsenalTransfer newsMark WhiteSocial Links NavigationContent EditorMark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robsons time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
