Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding is reportedly in talks over a surprise loan move to Turkish giants Besiktas.
The 27-year-old was a peripheral player for the Gunners last season under Mikel Arteta, who settled on Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba as his first-choice centre-back pairing.
Holding earned more game time towards the end of the season due to Saliba's injury, but January signing Jakub Kiwior soon displaced him in the team as well.
With Jurrien Timber potentially arriving from Ajax to add more competition to Arsenal's defensive ranks, which also hold Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White, Holding seemingly has no future in North London.
Furthermore, the former Bolton Wanderers man is only under contract at the Emirates Stadium for another season, leading to the expectation of a departure in the current window.
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According to The Express, Besiktas have now emerged as shock contenders for Holding's signature and are in talks with his representatives over a loan deal.
Celtic have also been credited with an interest in the former England Under-21 international, but Besiktas are apparently leading the race as things stand.
Holding is weighing up his choices as he searches for more minutes away from the Emirates Stadium, and he would likely sign a contract extension at Arsenal to protect his value if he leaves on loan.
However, a permanent departure is not out of the question for a player who joined Arsenal at the age of just 20 in 2016, having been scouted by then-manager Arsene Wenger.
Holding made an immediate impression at the Emirates, winning the FA Cup in his debut season and earning high praise for his performance in the final against Chelsea alongside Per Mertesacker.
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The 27-year-old has won another FA Cup and two Community Shields with Arsenal, making 162 appearances and scoring five goals across all competitions.
Holding netted twice in 24 matches for Arteta's team last season, starting six Europa League matches but only featuring from the first whistle on six occasions in the Premier League.
Having shipped 13 goals in six games after replacing the stricken Saliba, Holding dropped to the bench for Arsenal's final five Premier League games in 2022-23 and was an unused substitute in four of them.
Arsenal are understood to have made a second bid in excess of £40m for Ajax defender Timber and are confident of sealing a deal for the Dutchman, who has already given the green light to personal terms.
The Gunners are also expected to confirm the arrival of Kai Havertz from Chelsea this week and are readying a third bid for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, having failed with a pair of £80m and £90m offers.
Ben Knapton
