The London Evening Standard understands that Arsenal may have to reduce their £15million asking price for left back Kieran Gibbs. Promoted duo Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are interested, but the huge fee put them off. They now have a more realistic opportunity to purchase the England international.
The duo do however face competition from established Premier League sides like Watford and Stoke City for the 27-year-old. Gibbs is said to be more open to the prospect of finally leaving the Emirates Stadium after several years with the club. He has moved further down the pecking order following the signing of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke 04.
Nacho Monreal also provides big competition in this area of the pitch, so Arsene Wenger may be open to a sale. However it would appear they need to reduce their large asking price if they want him off the books. He does earn £60,000-a-week with the North London club too, which presents an issue for Brighton especially. Gibbs has ruled out dropping into the Championship, so only a permanent deal is to be considered if anything at all.
He has a year remaining on his current deal and he is supposedly open to the prospect of seeing that out as well, before then leaving on a free transfer. However, he may want assurances from Wenger that he has a good enough chance of breaking into the team. This time next year, England should be involved in the World Cup in Russia, and playing regularly is Gibbs’ only realistic chance of breaking into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
