Arsenal interested in re-signing star Mikel Arteta sold for just £2.7m

Mikel Arteta binned off this player just days after being appointed Arsenal manager (Photo: Getty)

Arsenal could look to re-sign one of their former defenders who is attracting a lot of transfer interest from Premier League rivals, according to reports.

With a Premier League title to defend and a Champions League final loss to avenge, Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen in almost every position this summer.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has arrived from Leeds United, while midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has told Newcastle United he wants to move to the Emirates.

A left-sided forward is also on the shopping list, with England World Cup star Morgan Rogers the top target after a brilliant season at Aston Villa.

And it seems Arteta is also keen to bolster his defensive options too, with Sky Sports reporting that Arsenal have an interest in Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The centre-back was one of Arsene Wenger’s final signings for the Gunners but would make just eight appearances for the club before Arteta arrived and loaned him out, before selling him to Stuttgart for just €3.2million (£2.7m) in 2022.

‘Dinos’ returned to London a year later via West Ham and impressed last season despite suffering relegation to the Championship on the final day.

Konstantinos Mavropanos suffered relegation with West Ham last season (Photo: Getty)

It is reported that multiple clubs in the Premier League and Europe are interested in the Greek international’s services, among those Arsenal who have an admiration for their former defender.

A move for the 28-year-old would seem unlikely for Arsenal, given that they already have three right-footed centre-back options, namely William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White.

Saliba and White did have injury problems toward the run-in last season, so it could be that Arteta is just looking for extra options if fitness issues continue.

Arsene Wenger signed Mavropanos for Arsenal in January 2018 (Photo: Getty)

It is not known how much West Ham would want for Mavropanos, who is under contract until 2028 and cost around £21m.

Much of the Irons squad is up for sale following their relegation, including Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville who has attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

They have no plans to sell star player and captain Jarrod Bowen however, despite links with the likes of United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

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