Arsenal have kicked off their summer after announcing the free transfer of highly rated Schalke defender Sead Kolasinac.
The 23-year-old’s current Schalke contract is due to expire this summer and the versatile left-back will now become an Arsenal player when the transfer window officials opens at the start of next month.
Kolasinac was widely expected to join Juventus in January after Max Allegri’s side parted ways with the experience of Patrice Evra but the Bosnia international remained with the Bundesliga giants for the remainder of the season.
Liverpool were also briefly mooted with a move for the Schalke No.6 as Jurgen Klopp looked to provide James Milner with competition at left-back, but Arsenal have won the race for his signature after agreeing a long-term contract.
It provides Arsene Wenger with a long-term solution at left-back with Nacho Monreal nearing the twilight of his career. Kolasninac is also well versed at playing on the left hand side of midfield in a back three, which could be his position at Arsenal given this is the formation the Gunners finished the season using.
Kolasinac finished the 2016/17 campaign as Schalke’s highest rated player in the Bundesliga (7.32) after playing a direct hand in three goals and five assists in 25 league appearances.
For more stats on Sead Kolasinac, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
