Kyle Walker-Peters has now decided his stance on a potential transfer to Arsenal with Mikel Arteta considering targeting the Southampton star after Jurrien Timber’s injury.

That is according to Ben Jacobs, who claims that Walker-Peters is open to listening to Arteta if Arsenal come calling. But the Southampton star will not jump at a return to north London. He would instead seek assurances from the Spaniard over his likely role at Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old has remained a key part of the Saints’ side following the south coast club’s relegation to the Championship. New Southampton manager Russell Martin has started the Tottenham Hotspur product in all three of the St Mary’s outfit’s opening second-tier fixtures.

Kyle Walker-Peters is open to a transfer to Arsenal this summer

Walker-Peters has so far remained at Southampton while James Ward-Prowse, Romeu Lavia, Tino Livramento and Mohammed Salisu have secured permanent transfers away. But Arteta may present the two-cap England international a late-window return to the Premier League.

Arteta has eyes on Walker-Peters while Arsenal weigh up possible targets after Timber’s ACL injury. The Gunners are still to decide whether they will make another swoop in the sales or not. Arsenal academy sensation Reuell Walters is also an internal option to fill Timber’s void.

Should Arsenal step up their interest in Walker-Peters, the Southampton defender will listen to Arteta as he is open to the transfer. But the London-born right-back will want assurances over his game time. He will not accept the move to only sit on the Emirates Stadium bench.

Mikel Arteta has had the Tottenham product scouted for months

The Express first credited Arsenal with an interest in Walker-Peters’ potential transfer from Southampton after confirmation of Timber’s ACL injury. It further noted that the Saints are expecting offers from Premier League teams for the Tottenham product later in the market.

Additionally, Arsenal have tasked their scouts with keeping tabs on Walker-Peters’ form for the Saints in recent months. But his situation is now of interest to Arteta following Timber’s injury as the St Mary’s natives could accept a cut-price fee to offload his £50k-a-week wage.

Southampton paid Tottenham just £12m plus add-ons to sign Walker-Peters permanently in August 2020 following an initial loan spell. He would turn out in 103 Premier League games with the Saints for two goals and five assists. While his form caught Gareth Southgate’s eye.

Southgate gave Walker-Peters, who Danny Higginbotham dubbed ‘outstanding’, his England debut in March 2022. He appreciated what the defender could offer the Three Lions having shown great versatility as a right-back, a left-back and a wide midfielder with Southampton.

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