Arsenal defender Rob Holding is in talks with Besiktas over a possible loan deal to join the Turkish club this summer as Mikel Arteta continues his overhaul of his squad. The Gunners have received an offer for the centre-back and Holding is now discussing a move away from the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal going all out to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber this week in a deal that could exceed £40million.
Express Sport can exclusively reveal that the Englishman has been offered the chance to leave the Emirates Stadium as he looks to secure regular first-team football.
Initial reports in Scotland suggested he could join champions Celtic, but Besiktas are now leading the race for his signature.
The 27-year-old has a year left to run on his current deal with an option to extend for a further year. Under the terms of the loan agreement, Holding would likely sign a contract extension to ensure his value does not decrease, should he decide to make the move to Turkey.
However, it remains an option that he could leave permanently as he is currently behind Saliba, Gabriel and Ben White in the pecking order. He is now weighing up his options after Besiktas made their interest clear to his representatives.
Holding made 23 appearances in all competitions last season and was given a run in the side in the absence of William Saliba after the Frenchman was ruled out with injury for the final six weeks of the season.
He started six league matches in a row but Arsenal won just two of those, conceding 13 goals, as their Premier League title challenge derailed in the final weeks of the season and Manchester City claimed their fifth title in six seasons.
Holding’s position has come under threat with the arrival of Jakub Kiwior in January and Arteta’s decision to target Timber, 22, would force him further down the squad list under Arteta.
The Dutchman has already agreed personal terms on a five-year deal and is keen to move to the Premier League after snubbing a switch to Manchester United last summer.
Reports suggest Arsenal have made a second bid worth £41.5m for Timner and it could move them closer to bringing in the centre-back, having already clinched the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea and Arteta is keen to bring in West Ham captain Declan Rice as well.
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