Arsenal Face Madrid Rivals For Left-Back Swoop

Arsenal are reportedly ready to rival the two Madrid clubs for the signature of Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico in the summer.

ESPN FC claim the Gunners and Real Betis are also keen on the 26-year-old, who impressed Real Madrid officials with his performance in last month’s Champions League round-of-16 first leg in Amsterdam. The Argentina international had a goal ruled out via the video assistant referee in that match and will be watched by scouts from both Real and Atletico when Ajax play the return match at the Bernabeu.

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Reports claim Tagliafico could be ready to follow in the footsteps of teammate Frenkie de Jong, who is leaving Ajax for Barcelona in the summer, and that he has a preference for Spain due to language and cultural reasons.

Arsenal have a Spanish-speaking coach that could sway him to choose the Premier League and reported interest from the Gunners in Ajax’s Marc Overmars to become their new technical director could also have a bearing on Tagliafico’s future.