Arsenal 'begin brand new transfer pursuit' as Mikel Arteta eyes another William Saliba

Arsenal are reportedly going after a new defensive target and club bosses have already made contact to show their interest. The Gunners reaped the rewards of poaching a young centre-back from Ligue 1 when they splashed out on William Saliba six years ago, and they could now repeat the formula to bolster Mikel Arteta's options.

Saliba has been almost ever-present over the past three seasons, racking up 134 games for Arsenal and establishing one of the most fearsome centre-back partnerships in the Premier League with Gabriel Magalhaes. The north Londoners have only just spent £13million on Cristhian Mosquera to provide back-up, along with Jakub Kiwior who has been at the club since 2023.

But Arsenal now have their gaze set on a new target to either replace Kiwior if he leaves in this window, or to come in next summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the club has made 'initial contact' to show their interest in Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet.

The French Under-21 international turned 20 in July, less than two months after signing a bumper contract at Rennes until 2029. But his long-term future could lie elsewhere as Arsenal have pinpointed him as a player they 'like', and one who features on their list of options if exits force their hand before the window slams shut.

Right-footed defender Jacquet was a regular in France last season with parent club Rennes and during a loan spell with second-tier side Clermont.

The difficulty for Arteta is balancing the wishes of young defenders hoping to upset Arsenal's existing pecking order, and those of his centre-back stalwarts Saliba and Gabriel.

Even an injury setback for one of Arsenal's starting duo would not necessarily call Mosquera, Kiwior or, if he signs, Jacquet into action, as Arteta has acquired a group of versatile defenders, with full-backs Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Jurrien Timber also able to operate in central areas.

The Gunners have spent freely this summer. Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke top the bill as their most expensive signings, with Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga also coming in to flesh out Arteta's ranks.

Outgoings could be crucial between now and the end of the window. The manager will surely be keen to trim down the size of his playing squad given that the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson all stand little chance of getting regular first-team minutes this campaign.