Arsenal Looking to Sign Udinese Defender Nahuel Molina on a Swap Deal

Arsenal are being linked with a summer move for Udinese’s Nahuel Molina. The clubs have become more active in pursuit of players they have been scouting, with the summer transfer window right around the corner, and the Gunners are no different. They are keeping tabs on multiple high-profile players and the 24-year-old defender is now amongst the reported targets.

Who is Nahuel Molina?

Nahuel Molina is an Argentine defensive player, currently plying his trade at Italian club Udinese. A Boca Juniors youth export, Molina spent the 2018 season on loan at Defensa y Justicia and 2019 at Rosario Central. The latter was where he picked up form and consistency. After running down his contract at Boca Juniors, the Argentine defender joined Udinese for a deal that runs till 2025.

Nahuel Molina, Arsenal — Image Obtained via okcalciomercato.it

Operating in a back five that Udinese usually deploy, Molina plays on the right-hand side of the field. He is deployed as a right-back who often drifts into the right midfield positions. Nahuel slots into a traditional right-back position when the Italian club change their shape to form a back four.

Not just solid in defence, is a threat going forward as well. The defender has registered six goals and three assists so far in the Serie A. Owing to his overall consistency, the 24-year-old has made 15 appearances for the Argentinian national team.

Reports and Rumours

Italian news outlet Il Messaggero Veneto (via Metro) reports that Arsenal have entered the race to sign Nahuel Molina. Not just the Gunners, the report includes clubs like Atletico Madrid and Juventus also monitoring the player’s future.

Arsenal are prepared to make an offer for Udinese right-back Nahuel Molina, with Pablo Mari potentially going the other way on a permanent basis. (Il Messaggero Veneto) pic.twitter.com/A4ZT0JKTfZ

— Aaron Catterson-Reid (@ReidTheGame) April 27, 2022

Arsenal, however, could have the upper hand when it comes to landing the Argentinian. Pablo Mari, who had been loaned out to Udinese, has continued to impress for the Italians who would look to make his deal permanent. In essence, Mari’s form at Udinese can fuel a swap deal involving the two players, which would be beneficial for both the clubs.

What the Move Means For Arsenal

Arsenal have a stronger grip on the top-4 spots after their crucial wins against Manchester United and Chelsea. Had they managed to grind out points from seemingly winnable games against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, their Champions League spot would have been guaranteed, but they slipped.

Landing a Champions League spot becomes a great source for incentivising players to join a team. Mikel Arteta is certainly looking to rally his team to a strong finish this season as they sit at fourth position in the Premier League, two points ahead of Spurs and six points ahead of Man United.

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury has caused much concern in the Arsenal dugout. A solid defender at the back, Tomiyasu boasts intelligent reading of the game and an impressive physicality which easily makes him a top-tier defender in the books of most people. However, his inadequacies in the final third have left room for criticism. Arsenal, by targeting Nahuel Molina and other right-back options, are looking to bolster the defence while striving to look for different options to have at their disposal.

While decent at the back, Molina’s strength lies in his ability to get into those forward positions where he almost acts as a winger with his attacking penetration. The Argentine also boasts the ability to play on the left of the defensive line, which can serve well for the Gunners if the need arises.

Arsenal currently field a 30-year-old Cedric Soares on the right side of the backline, a position they clearly need to improve upon. A swap deal involving Molina and Mari seems the most optimum choice for both the clubs. Udinese receive a sound centre-back who has helped them to stay solid and not leak goals like in the past, while Arsenal receive a relatively young right-back who can supplement the Arsenal attack and make them more potent in the final third. It ends as a win-win for everyone involved.

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