Football

Reported Arsenal target Mario Hermoso rejects new contract at Espanyol

Arsenal are on the lookout for a new central defender and a door could well have opened with Espanyol’s Mario Hermoso reportedly available in the summer.

Oscar Rodriguez Arnaiz (L) of Deportivo Leganes is blocked by Mario Hermoso (R) of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga match between CD Leganes and RCD Espanyol at Estadio Municipal de...

According to a report from Marca, Mario Hermoso has rejected a new contract offer from Espanyol as he looks almost certain to leave the club in the summer.

The 22-year-old has just 12 months left on his current deal and Los Periquitos will be keen to cash in on him rather than to let him walk away for free at the end of next season.

Hermoso has massively improved since joining Espanyol from Real Madrid back in 2017 and the report reveals that Atletico Madrid are interested in him.

However, Hermoso has also attracted interest from outside of Spain with The Daily Mail reporting back in May that Arsenal have held talks with the Spaniard over a potential deal in the summer.

Unai Emery’s side massively struggled with their defence last season which cost them a spot in the top four of the Premier League. The Gunners also faltered in the final of the Europa League, which further proved their need for a top central defender.

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery shows dejection during the medal ceremony following the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku,...

Shkodran Mustafi had an incredibly poor season while skipper Laurent Koscielny is quickly nearing the end of his career. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also in his thirties which leaves the Gunners with just Rob Holding and Calum Chambers as their recognised central defenders.

Hermoso would be a brilliant addition to Emery’s squad next season and with just a year left on his contract Arsenal could potentially snap him up for a cut-price deal. However, with Atletico Madrid’s reported interest in him, Arsenal may have some tough competition to overcome if they are to solve one of their key issues this summer.

Mario Hermoso of RCD Espanyol competes for the ball with Juanfran Torres and Antoine Griezmann of Club Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and  Club Atletico...

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