Arsenal have built their recent success around defensive consistency, with Mikel Arteta demanding that his full-backs contribute to possession as well as protect the space behind the midfield. That balance has helped the Gunners compete at the highest level, but maintaining it requires careful decisions about recruitment and squad depth.

Ben White remains an established option on the right, while Jurriën Timber offers Arteta another dependable choice across the backline. Both players have contracts running until 2028, giving Arsenal a strong foundation without an immediate need to replace either defender. Any new signing would therefore need to offer something different, rather than simply add another body to the squad.

Against that backdrop, interest in Atlético Madrid’s Marc Pubill has attracted attention. According to Transfer Feed, citing Spanish outlet AS, negotiations over the 23-year-old’s contract renewal have continued for several months, while Arsenal remain interested in the defender. The report recalls previous interest from a club prepared to pay around £80m, although it does not establish that Arsenal made that specific offer.

The Spanish defender can operate at right-back or centre-back, offering the physical presence and positional flexibility that appeal to clubs seeking greater options in defence. However, no confirmed weekly salary figure has emerged, and the reported £80m valuation should not be treated as a current asking price.

Arsenal transfer news: Would Pubill justify a major Arsenal investment despite White and Timber?

Pubill’s appeal lies in his ability to cover two defensive positions without forcing Arteta to abandon his preferred possession-based approach. His height and recovery ability could help Arsenal defend crosses, protect transitions and maintain a higher line, while his work at right-back could provide another route into midfield during build-up.

However, Arsenal must consider the cost. An £80m transfer would represent a substantial commitment for a player competing with White and Timber for minutes. Unless Arteta intends to use Pubill regularly at centre-back or sees a longer-term change in his defensive options, that investment could create more competition than the squad needs.

There is another complication: Atlético have reportedly pursued a renewal, and the reported €500m release clause would translate to roughly £430m. That figure is a contractual barrier, not a realistic transfer valuation.

My view is that Arsenal should monitor the negotiations rather than launch an expensive bid. Pubill’s versatility makes him an attractive profile, but White and Timber already provide quality on the right. A deal would make greater sense if Arsenal identified a clear need across two defensive positions and Atlético agreed to a fee well below the reported £80m figure.