Arsenal ‘on brink of transfer for new centre-back to solve Saliba crisis… with deal to be completed BEFORE Guimaraes’

ARSENAL are on the brink of signing a new centre-back in a bid to solve their defensive crisis. Star man William Saliba suffered a back injury in France’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain. Mikel Arteta could add another defender to the Arsenal squad Credit: Getty William Saliba suffered a back injury at the World Cup Credit: Getty Saliba, 25, will not undergo surgery and is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season. The injury to the centre-back leaves Mikel Arteta relying on just Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera as specialists in the position. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! The club are now moving quickly to find a solution and bolster the options for the Spanish manager. It is claimed that a transfer could be made before Arsenal seal a deal for Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes. Sporting Lisbon star Ivan Fresneda and Como defender Jacobo Ramon are targets of the club. The pair are not the only options, with Fresneda’s team-mates Zeno Debast and Goncalo Inacio also being linked. Debast, 22, missed the entirety of Belgium’s World Cup campaign after picking up a thigh injury in May. He was taken to the tournament by boss Rudi Garcia in the hope that he would recover in time to feature in the knockout rounds. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Inacio, 24, has long been linked with a move to the Premier League after impressing in Portugal. He has previously been a reported target for both Manchester United and Manchester City. This summer he has been tipped as a primary target for Italian giants AC Milan. Whoever the Gunners go for must be able to play alongside Gabriel in the heart of the defence. Ivan Fresneda could be one option for Arsenal Credit: Getty Jacobo Ramon is also a target of the Gunners Credit: Reuters Last season the team only conceded 27 goals in the Premier League – the best record in the division. Arsenal have been lining up Bruno Guimaraes this summer, but the Magpies are reluctant to sell. The club has prepared a £70million offer for the former Lyon man, who is open to the switch. Arsenal have already completed the signings of Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier as well as making Piero Hincapie’s loan permanent. Comment now