Takehiro Tomiyasu is leaving Arsenal after an agreement was found to terminate his contract. The Japan international played just six minutes of football last season after being sidelined with a knee injury.
Tomiyasu's injury nightmare
Tomiyasu still has a long road to recovery ahead from the operation he underwent in February. He faces up to another five months out of action which would take him deep into the final year of his existing deal before he is fit to return to action.
With just under 12 months remaining on the 26-year-old's deal, Arsenal and Tomiyasu have reached a settlement to end his contract. The defender missed the start of the 2024/25 season due to a previous knee injury that needed surgery in 2023.
Arsenal's defensive dilemma
Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Serie A side Bologna in a deal rising to £20million in 2021, but persistent injury issues have restricted him to just 79 appearances in four seasons. His versatility was a huge factor in boss Mikel Arteta swooping for the defender who can play both centrally and at full-back.
His impending exit will see the Gunners step up their efforts to find defensive reinforcements during the summer. Arsenal have already targeted highly-rated Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera after having an opening offer rejected by the LaLiga side last week.
However, a mini defensive exodus may see Arteta bring in multiple fresh faces. Kieran Tierney left the club last month to re-sign with boyhood club Celtic and Oleksandr Zinchenko could also depart with Fulham interested in the Ukraine star.
Arsenal's attacking ambitions
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Arteta's attacking moves this summer with the club heavily linked with a host of stars. Both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres remain targets for the club despite no indication on which player Arsenal may opt for.
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon could be another option Arteta looks to visit, as could Real Madrid's Rodrygo. It comes after Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr turned their attention away from Liverpool's Luis Diaz and on to Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners are not entertaining the idea of losing the Brazilian but a good offer could see club chiefs rethink their plans. And that could see Arsenal reinvent the transfer fee in bolstering their left side of attack.
Midfield movements
In an already busy summer of departures which included Jorginho returning to Brazil with Flamengo, midfield enforcer Thomas Partey also announced his exit after failing to agree a new deal. Arsenal hope to tie up the signing of Brentford's Christian Norgaard in the coming days in a deal worth £10million.
