Leicester City set modest asking price for Arsenal transfer target

Leicester City have set a modest asking price for Arsenal transfer target Timothy Castagne.

The Gunners are keen to sign a new right-back this summer after they ended last season with Thomas Partey forced to play in an unfamiliar role.

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Takehiro Tomiyasu will return to full fitness in time for the start of pre-season and provide competition for Ben White who made the right-back role his own last season.

White, however, was signed to play at centre-half when he joined the club nearly two years ago from Brighton and with Cedric Soares set to depart this summer and Kieran Tierney also likely to leave, Arteta wants experienced cover at full-back.

The Foxes, relegated from the Premier League last season, will not stand in Castagne’s way should a suitable offer arrive and will, according to Fabrizio Romano, find it hard to turn down a bid in the region of €15million.

Arsenal are yet to enter into negotiations with the Foxes and face a race against time to compete for his signing with Juventus showing significant interest.

The Serie A giants are equally keen to sign a new right-back and had already sounded out Real Madrid over Lucas Vazquez only to be told the Spain international is not for sale.

Arsenal, meanwhile, announced the departures of the 13 players on Friday, including Ainsley Maitland-Niles, another player capable of playing at right-back.

The Hale End academy graduate featured prominently in the early stages of Arteta’s tenure and started the 2020 FA Cup final against Chelsea which the Gunners won 2-1.

Arsenal turned down a £20million offer from Wolves shortly after that success but Maitland-Niles fell rapidly down Arteta’s pecking order and spent last seaon on loan at Southampton.

‘I’ve seen a lot of players come and go and played with a lot of fantastic players throughout my time here,’ said the England international following confirmation of his departure.

‘Unfortunately, it has to come to an end, but I’ve been happy every single moment I’ve been here to play and work for this club.

‘The trophy wins would probably be the best moments for me, obviously some of the domestic seasons weren’t so great but at least I got to win some trophies with the club that I love.

‘The FA Cup final was a fantastic day that will always stick in my mind, and I was happy to be a part of the team that won it.’

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