Arsenal join Chelsea in race for Feyenoord left-back - report

Arsenal have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Feyenoord left-back Quilindschy Hartman, a report has claimed.

Hartman was key to Feyenoord's success under former manager Arne Slot before suffering a serious knee injury in March which is expected to keep him on the sidelines for the majority of 2024, complicating any future transfer.

A summer switch is unlikely because of his injury issue, but The Telegraph state Arsenal will watch the 22-year-old's comeback with a keen eye, having identified Hartman as a player who could make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is known to be keen on a new left-back but may delay a transfer decision until Jurrien Timber has made a full recovery from his own serious injury, which restricted him to short outings on both the first and last days of the Premier League season.

Feyenoord were believed to be open to selling Hartman this summer as he enters the final two years of his contract, but accept his recent injury will put an end to any short-term speculation.

Speaking to ESPN earlier this month, Hartman revealed Chelsea were chasing his signature in January but he did not feel the time was right to make the move to the Premier League.

"Right now they don't want me, but they really wanted to [sign me]," Hartman revealed. "Chelsea came to Feyenoord last winter break. To be honest, I didn't want it at that moment. I had only just broken through, just started playing everything and it wasn't the right time either with a view to the European Championship.

"Feyenoord was not open to selling in the winter, but this summer, they were. Interest has returned in recent months. They really wanted me and I was certainly open to it. Unfortunately, things turned out differently. At the same time I think: 'I'll stay at Feyenoord, that's fine too'. But there was indeed a good chance that the transfer would have gone through."

Hartman is not the first Feyenoord star to be linked with Arsenal, with recent reports suggesting goalkeeper Justin Bijlow is also on Arteta's radar.

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