Arsenal Target Joaquin Seys as Premier League Rivals Join the Chase

Arsenal’s recruitment drive under Mikel Arteta is rolling on – and once again the radar is locked on Club Brugge.

Barely weeks after prising winger Christos Tzolis from the Belgian side, Arsenal are now tracking highly rated full-back Joaquin Seys, with the defender valued at around £30 million. The London club have been scouring the market for a different profile at full-back as they prepare to defend their Premier League title, and Seys has emerged as a serious option.

They are not alone.

Manchester United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto are all monitoring the Belgian international, turning Seys’ future into one of the more intriguing subplots of the summer window.

Arsenal’s calculated push

Arsenal have not stumbled upon Seys by chance. Arteta’s staff have conducted extensive scouting missions on the Club Brugge defender, compiling a detailed dossier that has now reached the head coach’s desk. The interest is deliberate, targeted and in line with Arteta’s repeated message: they will only move if the player is the right fit.

Asked about further business, Arteta made his stance clear: his side are in the market for “the right player” who can “make us much better”. Seys, who impressed for Belgium at this summer’s World Cup, appears to fall into that category – a modern full-back comfortable in advanced areas but disciplined enough to shore up a back line that has to withstand the pressure of another title race.

With three years left on his contract, Brugge are under no financial or contractual pressure to sell. That leverage has helped set the £30m valuation, but the figure is not expected to scare off England’s heavyweights.

United’s search for solutions

At Old Trafford, the need is urgent. Manchester United’s long-running issues at full-back have pushed the club towards Seys after a move for Lewis Hall hit a dead end. Newcastle United rebuffed United’s initial approach and made it clear Hall is not for sale, forcing United to move swiftly down their shortlist.

The attraction is obvious. United want a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw and a reliable presence on the flank as they prepare for their return to the Champions League. The reported £30m price tag will not deter them, with the club eager to address a problem position that has dogged multiple managers.

Newcastle, already in the conversation after the Hall episode, are also credited with an interest in Seys, adding another layer of Premier League tension to the chase.

Villa, Benfica and Porto join the race

The competition does not stop there. Aston Villa, who must plug the gap left by Lucas Digne’s return to PSG, are also in the market for a left-back and have Seys on their radar. Unai Emery has built a side capable of matching the league’s elite, but the departure of Digne leaves a clear vacancy on that flank.

On the continent, Benfica and Porto have joined the pursuit. Both clubs have a strong record of developing and showcasing emerging talent, especially in defensive roles, and Seys’ World Cup performances have not gone unnoticed in Portugal.

A battle of timing and conviction

For now, Brugge hold the cards. Seys is tied down, the club is under no obligation to sell, and the World Cup has only strengthened their hand. Any move will come down to which club is prepared to act first and with the greatest conviction.

Arsenal want “the right player.” United want a solution. Villa want a replacement. Benfica and Porto want the next big sale.

Only one of them will get Joaquin Seys.