TRANSFER BREAKING NEWS: Turkish giants place bid for Arsenal star – Report

Besiktas have sent an official bid to Arsenal for the transfer of centre-back Rob Holding this summer, as per David Ornstein.

Experienced defender Holding has played a bit-part role at Arsenal over the past few seasons, with other defenders often preferred to start games ahead of him. The 27-year-old Englishman is at a stage of his career where he wants to play more regularly.

Turkish giants Besiktas made a verbal proposal for a loan deal earlier in the window which was turned down. They have now returned with a £2.1m bid for the English defender, who is open to the move. Arsenal are expected to reject the offer for the defender as it is below their valuation of the player.

Holding is contracted to Arsenal until 2024, with an option for a further 12 months inserted in his contract. The Gunners will be keen to receive a sizeable fee for the defender.

Time for Rob Holding to make Arsenal exit

Holding joined Arsenal from Bolton Wanderers in 2016 and has played 162 times for the club in his seven years. He featured 14 times in the league last season and only began to play regularly when William Saliba picked up an injury in the final months of the season.

Arsenal are close to completing a deal for Jurrien Timber from Ajax, which will make Holding the fifth (or sixth) choice at centre-back. The Englishman must be prepared to leave the club in search of regular football elsewhere.

Holding has won two FA Cup titles in his time with Arsenal and needs to inform the club of his decision to leave this summer.