Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Matthias Ginter After Rob Holding Signing

Arsenal's ambitions of completing the signing of Borussia Dortmund's Matthias Ginter have taken a blow after Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg voiced their interest, per TransferMarketWeb (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star).

The 22-year-old versatile defender is reportedly a £10 million transfer target for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, according to Daniel Cutts of the Sun.

However, despite tracking the youngster for several months, Arsenal now face fresh competition from another German club, hoping to snatch the centre-back away from Westfalenstadion.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press/Associated Press/Associated Press

Per WhoScored.com, Ginter featured in 24 league matches for Thomas Tuchel's side last term, netting on three occasions and providing four assists to team-mates—a healthy return from a defensive-minded figure with relatively limited exposure to the first team.

Per Anderson, Ginter has not joined Dortmund for their pre-season tour of China, resulting in speculation of a move away from the club. 

Despite this absence, the player remains excited at the prospect of representing his country at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month, per his official account:

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has spoken out over a potential move for the player who enjoyed a bright start to life at the Ruhr club. Per Goal, Ginter joined Dortmund on a five-year deal from Freiburg for a figure believed to be in the region of €10 million (£8.4 million) following the 2014 World Cup.

The Germany international—who was the youngest member of Joachim Loewe's triumphant squad—initially settled well at his new club before losing his place in the first team to Poland's Lukasz Piszczek.

However, Zorc is refusing to allow Ginter to depart the team anytime soon in spite of the tour omission. Per Bild (h/t Stefan Uersfeld of ESPN FC), he said: "Matthias is part of our plans for next season."

Take a look at some of the best bits from Ginter in a Dortmund shirt below:

Frustratingly for Arsenal and boss Wenger, Dortmund and fellow interested party Wolfsburg are not remiss to involve each other in transfer activity despite their level standing in the Bundesliga. Evidence of this can be seen by Dortmund confirming the transfer of Wolfsburg forward Andre Schurrle on a five-year contract on Friday, per Reuters (h/t the Guardian).

Despite a lack of movement regarding a move for Ginter, Arsenal fans can celebrate another summer signing ahead of the weekend, with the capture of Bolton Wanderers defender Rob Holding, per Goal.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a personally successful breakthrough campaign in 2015-16 despite Bolton's demise into the third-tier of English football. Per Arsenal.com, Holding enjoyed international success this summer, helping Gareth Southgate's England under-21s to victory in the Toulon tournament in France alongside fellow Gunner Calum Chambers.

Goal's Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley does not expect the new signing to feature against French opposition in Friday's friendly:

Meanwhile, European football writer Samuel Jay C analysed Wenger's new options in the central defensive areas:

An intelligent, ball-playing defender, the youngster is comfortable in possession, rarely suffers from lapses of concentration and is fully aware of his defensive responsibilities. Despite not being expected to make an immediate impact on Arsenal's starting line-up, Wenger has proven himself over his career to hand young players the chance to earn their place in the starting XI.