Arsenal tie up Schalke defender Kolasinac
Arsenal have sealed the free-transfer capture of Schalke defender Sead Kolasinac – and he will join on July 1, once his contract at the German club expires.
The 23-year-old is the Gunners’ first summer signin, as manager Arsene Wenger looks to add to his squad to launch a sustained bid to win the title.
Kolasinac, a BosniaHerzegovina international, came through the ranks at Schalke and made over 100 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.
The German-born defender operates at leftback and his arrival will throw into doubt the future of Kieran Gibbs, who has yet to negotiate fresh terms at the Emirates Stadium.
Kolasinac had reportedly been attracting the interest of Chelsea and Everton, but it has been understood for some time that a move to Arsenal was on the cards.
Wenger, fresh from signing a new two-year contract to stay on as Arsenal boss, has targeted a run at the Premier League crown next season.
Arsenal will also participate in the Europa League having missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time in 19 years.
Kolasinac has experience of the Europa League and is likely to be competing against Nacho Monreal for a place in Wenger’s side.
The Gunners have been linked with a big-money move for Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe, despite the player’s determination to join Real Madrid, while Henry Onyekuru – a forward currently at Belgian side KAS Eupen – has also been touted as a target.
While Arsenal announced Kolasinac had penned a “long-term” contract, Schalke’s stateSeaham