Girona's Miguel Gutierrez has caught the eye of a number of Europe's top clubs(Image: Leonardo Gerzon)

Arsenal can repeat Ben White transfer trick by beating Real Madrid to La Liga star

Arsenal transfer news as a new left-back could be considered at the Emirates Stadium in January to bolster Mikel Arteta's options at the back

28 Nov 2023, 12:35 by Josh Holland · football.london

One of the benefits of being among the elite of European football is having the capability of snatching some of the best performing players away from their respective clubs.

Over the years, Arsenal have used their 'big club' status and project at the Emirates Stadium to convince players to make the step up. Last summer, Jurrien Timber left Dutch giants Ajax to play in the Premier League. In 2021, Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale earned moves to north London following impressive individual performances the season before.

Every season, clubs in Europe's top leagues enjoy a successful start and see their star players linked with a January move. Last campaign, RC Lens went from seventh place to Ligue 1 title challengers, resulting in Lois Openda and Seko Fofana leaving the club for big-money moves.

This season, it's Girona in Spain. The City Football Group members are currently joint-top of La Liga with Real Madrid after 14 games, with Michel's men winning 11. Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind and ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga both play for the Red and Whites.

Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk and Manchester City loanee Yangel Herrera have both caught the headlines with their performances, but left-back Miguel Gutierrez is one player going under the radar.

The 22-year-old joined the club in 2022 from Real Madrid. Having emerged through the Los Blancos academy, Gutierrez has become one of the league's most-impressive wing-backs and his services are desired by many.

Earlier this month, it was reported that a number of clubs were tracking his performances at the Estadi Montilivi. Arsenal are said to be one of those teams, having been linked with the defender when he made his first team debut for Real Madrid.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was instead signed and Gutierrez sealed a move to Girona. However, the Gunners' left-back situation has since become complex with Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney facing the difficult task of becoming part of Mikel Arteta's squad.

Now, with the January transfer window nearly upon us, the situation could, or should, be re-considered. Takehiro Tomiyasu has done a splendid job in covering at both left-back and right-back this season, but the madness of modern football, which sees the top clubs play three games a week, means two players for each position is pivotal.

Arsenal's strategy in the market means signing one of Europe's elite left-backs, like Alphonso Davies and Theo Hernandez, is simply not a viable option. However, beating their rivals to Gutierrez's signature could be the ideal defensive reinforcement.

Real Madrid do, however, retain a sell-on clause, meaning Girona are likely to demand a hefty fee for their defender. However, adding top-tier competition to Zinchenko ahead of a vital second half of the season.

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