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Transfers
Is £15 million too high an asking price for Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs targeted by Brighton?
The report that Arsenal are considering lowering their £15 million asking price for left-back Kieran Gibbs after being shocked by the lack of interest shown in him, with the only club monitoring the situation being newly promoted Brighton.
Chris Hughton’s side are understandably reluctant to pay such a fee and it now seems inevitable that the Gunners will be forced to lower the price they are demanding if Gibbs is to make way in this summer transfer window.
Is his time up at Arsenal?
It would seem inevitable. With Sead Kolasinac a new arrival at the Emirates and with Nacho Monreal already competing, it seems that Kieran Gibbs would likely be the third choice left-back next season if Arsene Wenger were to stick with a regular four man defence, though that may not be the case.
With a back three, Gibbs clearly does not fit in a central role and his displays on the left as a wing-back have not done enough to convince the Frenchman that he deserves another shot next season.
At 27-years-old and still not having broken into the first team, it would seem to be the time for Gibbs to leave the club and look for regular first team football elsewhere.
Is he worth it?
With just 18 starts under his belt last season, £15 million certainly seems a generous valuation. Never having been first choice at the Emirates, it is a high asking price for a player who has failed to really show himself to be more than a squad rotation option throughout his career.
However, for the Gunners, it could easily be argued that it is the going rate for a player with Premier League and Champions League experience in every season for the past nine seasons. With such experience, £15 million is a fair rate given some of the fees paid for players, but as a defender, it remains a little on the higher side of the market.
Would he fit in at Brighton?
Gaetan Bong was impressive for the south coast side, but by signing Gibbs, Chris Hughton could make exactly the kind of statement signing that is needed for the club in their debut Premier League season.
Such additions and Premier League experience could be crucial if the Seagulls are involved in a relegation battle this season and they may have to spend in order to secure it.
Gibbs, a player used to title challenges and a place in the top four, may be hard to convince that he should make such a drop, but he could at least be guaranteed a regular spot in the starting eleven and a chance to have one more shot at the England national team in a World Cup year.
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