Sources: Arsenal listening to offers for another defender as QPR, Rotherham pursue Ryan Alebiosu
Arsenal defender Ryan Alebiosu is a target for Championship duo Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United, TEAMtalk understands.
The Premier League giants are willing to listen to offers for Alebiousu, who can play as a right-back or on the right wing, and the news has alerted a number of clubs including QPR and Rotherham.
The 21-year-old spent last season out on loan at Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock and made 29 appearances in all competitions for Killie.
Alebiosu also had a spell out on loan at Crewe Alexandra in the second half of the 2021/22 season in order to gain some first-team experience, managing six appearances in League One.
The London-born defender, who has been likened to Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka because of his style of play, has come through the ranks at Arsenal, who snapped him up at the age of eight.
Alebiosu has yet to make his first-team debut for the Gunners, but he has been named on the bench on several occasions.
The attacking full-back is unlikely to break into Mikel Arteta’s plans at the Emirates Stadium and the club and player are mutually ready to move on.
Cedric set to leave Arsenal too
Alebiosu is not the only right-back who could be on his way out of Arsenal this summer. Recently, TEAMtalk learned that Cedric Soares is looking to leave the club and has caught the attention of various suitors.
Cedric, who spent part of last season on loan at Fulham, is of interest to Villarreal, three top clubs in Portugal and a number of Premier League teams.
At right-back, Arsenal have added Jurrien Timber to their squad, although his role could be a fluid one. In addition to the new recruit from Ajax, they can already call upon Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in similar territory.
Therefore, both Cedric – who was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their pre-season US tour – and Alebiosu seem to be surplus to requirements.
Walsh: I am trying to absorb so much knowledge
JOE Walsh admits that the mood around the Rangers camp is ‘really positive’ as preparations continue to get underway for the upcoming 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
The R’s face AFC Wimbledon this weekend in what will be the Super Hoops’ first pre-season fixture of the summer on British soil – with Gareth Ainsworth’s men looking to build on what was a positive trip to Austria last week.
“Pre-season has been good:” Walsh told www.qpr.co.uk “It has been nice to get some minutes on the pitch.
“In Austria we know we would play 45 minutes each in the opening game, but to play the entire second one was an unexpected surprise, but one I am always ready for.
“I am fit and healthy – it’s really positive at the moment, I am just looking to get as many minutes under my belt and hopefully really kick on this year.
“The season is only a few weeks away and I think everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully it will be a good one.”
Following the trip, Rangers have since been boosted by the arrival of experience goalkeeper Asmir Begović, who earlier in the week became Ainsworth’s third summer arrival – joining Paul Smyth and Ziyad Larkeche through the Loftus Road door.
And young stopper Walsh was quick to highlight the instant impact Begović has had on the R’s squad.
He explained: “He is just a top, top guy and the most professional I have ever worked with.
“He is just amazing with what he does, he is so focused, so switched on at work, an unbelievable character and it is so great to be working alongside him.
“I remember watching Asmir during his time with Stoke and then Chelsea, I remember him scoring his goal.
“Being a younger keeper and working with him, I am just trying to be a sponge really and gain as much knowledge as possible from him which can only help me in the future.”
