Arsenal, Chelsea interested in Wolfsburg's Ridle Baku?

Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Wolfsburg full-back Ridle Baku.

The 25-year-old joined Wolfsburg from fellow Bundesliga side Mainz in 2020, and he has gone on to register 16 goals and 14 assists in 105 appearances for die Wolfe.

Baku has featured regularly for Niko Kovac's side this season, starting 23 of their 27 league games, contributing five goals and one assist.

Having impressed for his club side, Baku is supposedly attracting interest from two Premier League giants.

Writing in his latest Caught Offside column, Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk has stated that Arsenal and Chelsea are targeting Baku.

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Falk has revealed that the two London clubs have previously made contact about a potential transfer, but they could face competition from La Liga outfit Villarreal.

"Ridle Baku of Wolfsburg got the call from Arsenal," Falk wrote. "The Gunners are interested in the German player who can play right-back and right-wing."

"But they're not alone in their interest, as Chelsea made a call themselves during the winter window. Villarreal also want to make a bid this summer."

Ben White has been preferred as Arsenal's primary right-back this season, while Takehiro Tomiyasu has also been utilised by the Gunners.

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However, with Cedric Soares expected to leave when he returns from his loan spell with Fulham, Arsenal are likely to recruit a new right-back.

Chelsea, meanwhile, strengthened the right side of their defence in the January transfer window, signing Malo Gusto from Lyon before loaning him straight back to the French club.

Although Gusto is set to link up with his Chelsea teammates in the summer, the Blues could still sign another full-back with injury issues continuing to hamper Reece James, while Cesar Azpilicueta is out of contract in 2024.

Villarreal's interest may depend on whether they can retain the services of Juan Foyth, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona.