Arsenal submit offer for free agent Gary Cahill

Arsenal have tabled their first offer to sign free agent Gary Cahill. The 33-year-old defender, whose contract with former club Chelsea expired last season, has received offers from Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and now the Gunners are the most recent option that the former England international has to pick from.

After seven years with the Blues, Cahill opted to leave Stamford Bridge in favour of a move elsewhere. Today it has emerged that Arsenal manager Unai Emery wants to sign Gary Cahill as a backup centre-back for Rob Holding, who is expected to emerge back in to the first-team this season once he has fully recovered from injury. Unai Emery is also set to sell Shkodran Mustafi in the next three weeks and it is understood that Cahill is wanted not just as an important member of the squad, but also to help educate and teach the young Holding. Interestingly, both Holding and Cahill both came through the ranks at Bolton.

It is understood that Arsenal are now clear favourites to wrap up a deal for Cahill and that a one year contract is on the table at the Emirates.