Arsenal move ahead of Liverpool in race to sign Chelsea defender

ARSENAL have joined the race to sign Chelsea defender Ola Aina, according to reports.

 

Ola Aina's contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season

 

The England under-21 international's contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer, and he has so far refused to sign a new deal.

The 19-year-old has seen his first-team options limited and edged closer to the exit after he was dropped to the under-21 squad.

And the Mirror claim Arsenal and considering securing a deal while the right-back's future is up in the air. 

 

The Gunners will move for Aina in the summer as Arsene Wenger looks to bring in cover for first-choice right-back Hector Bellerin with his current back-up options set to leave.

Mathieu Debuchy looks likely to be playing his football elsewhere next season after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates.

And Carl Jenkinson, who is currently on loan at West Ham, could also be allowed to leave, despite being handed a new deal last summer.

 

Aina played in every round of Chelsea's under-19s' successful UEFA Youth League campaign last season and was included in Jose Mourinho's pre-season tour ahead of this term.

Liverpool were thought to be keen on the defender but Arsenal are now in pole position to secure a deal.

Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the youngster's signature.