Arsenal 'to battle Galatasaray for £2m Basel centre back Eray Comert'

Arsenal are to go head-to-head with Turkish giants Galatasaray for the £2million signing of Eray Comert, according to reports.

The FC Basel defender has caught the eye this season with the club in contention for the Swiss League title and on the cusp of the Europa League quarter-finals at the time of the suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Basel have managed to keep 14 clean sheets in 2019-20 and Comert has played an integral role in their solidity at the back, something Arsenal have lacked on a number of occasions this season.

Now, Turkish outlet Fanatik report Arsenal are pushing to secure a deal for the 22-year-old but they are to face competition from Galatasaray.

Arsenal are expected to need to get creative in the transfer market due to the financial impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

Boss Mikel Arteta is determined to improve his defensive options this summer with the team sat ninth in the Premier League ahead of a resumption as part of Project Restart.

David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis have been the primary options in the centre back position this season but the trio have proven unreliable in high leverage moments.

In the Premier League this season, Arsenal have shipped 36 goals. Only Tottenham and Chelsea in the top nine have conceded more - and both have played a game more than the Gunners.

Comert was actually linked to Arsenal last summer when Unai Emery was in charge, only for the 22-year-old to remain in Switzerland.

RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano has been a key defensive target for Arsenal but he would likely demand a lucrative deal despite his contract running down in Germany.