Marcelo Bielsa reportedly wanted to sign Arsenal star Rob Holding for Leeds United in the summer of 2020 after promotion to the Premier League and now, The Telegraph claim Arsenal have placed Holding on the transfer list.
The 27-year-old defender is about to enter the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract, after seven years at the club. A spell in which he has clocked up 162 appearances in all competitions. This season, 24 outings – 14 in the League.
The signing of Jakub Kiwior has pushed Holding down the pecking order – with the Pole being chosen ahead of Holding in recent games. Of course, William Saliba and Gabriel are the first-choice defenders under Mikel Arteta.
Three years ago, the summer after Leeds were first promoted, the Daily Star reported that Holding was a target for Bielsa’s Leeds. Nothing materialised, but now, Arsenal have put the ex-Bolton man on the transfer list this summer.
That is according to The Telegraph, who say Arsenal are about to sell Granit Xhaka – while a number of players are on the transfer list. Holding is one of those, as is Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney and out-on-loan Nuno Tavares.
Bielsa wanted Holding for Leeds, Arsenal place him on transfer list
Leeds could do with a right-footed central defender, especially if the club stay up. Diego Llorente is more than likely to go, while Robin Koch’s future is in doubt. Relegation and he goes. If we stay up, well his deal ends in 12 months.
Like Holding. Llorente will be keen to go permanently and while Charlie Cresswell is returning to Elland Road, there also needs to be a decision made on the Thorp Arch Academy product. So, Leeds could do with a player in that role.
But is Holding the answer? He is a fringe player, a back-up option at Arsenal. He is a good player – aggressive, good on the ball, solid in the air, a decent turn of pace. He does not jump off the page. Better than Koch? Probably not.
