Report: Club now submit £17m bid to replace their £50m player after talks with Arsenal

Arsenal could make a reinforcement in every single department this summer.

Mikel Arteta wants Joan Garcia to be signed from Espanyol as the new backup for David Raya once Neto returns to Bournemouth – personal terms were already agreed between Arsenal and the Spaniard last summer.

Elsewhere, Arsenal expect Martin Zubimendi to join from Real Sociedad and bolster the central midfield department.

Furthermore, a new winger could join, with Arsenal strong favourites to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.

Now, a very positive development has occurred in Arsenal’s hunt for a new central defender as well, with Bournemouth preparing themselves for the sale of Dean Huijsen.

Bournemouth bid for Nathan Zeze

L’Equipe in France now reveal that Bournemouth have made a €20m (£17m) bid to sign Nathan Zeze from Nantes – in expectation of the aforementioned Spain international leaving this summer.

It comes after the reliable David Ornstein recently claimed that Arsenal have already held a meeting with the representatives of Huijsen as the Gunners try to wrap up an early summer deal, which seems like a straightforward transfer to complete given his £50m release clause.

L’Equipe specifically mention that Bournemouth view Zeze as a direct replacement for the Spaniard, although the French news outlet add that Nantes value the 19-year-old to be worth more than £17m.

There is also interest from Inter Milan, so Bournemouth face competition from a European giant – and some of the Premier League’s elite as well.

Bournemouth could miss out on Nathan Zeze

Arsenal will hope Bournemouth can sign the Nantes No.44 quickly to free up Huijsen, but it feels like there is still some way to go.

TBR Football understand Liverpool and Chelsea have been scouting Zeze during his impressive 2024/25 campaign for Nantes, both of whom have also been linked with a move for Huijsen as well, as Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca target depth in the centre-back department.

Therefore, it is entirely possible – in our opinion, at least – that Liverpool and Chelsea opt to take a serious look at Zeze as a cheaper alternative.

After all, Bournemouth have clearly seen something in the data to suggest the Frenchman would be a suitable replacement for Huijsen, so Liverpool and Chelsea may opt to cut out the middle man and go directly to Nantes, rather than hand the Cherries £50m for a more expensive defender.

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