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Who is Arsenal, Everton and Man City target Sead Kolasinac?

Sead Kolasinac in action during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Schalke 04

Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City have been linked with a move for Sead Kolasinac - but who is the Schalke defender?

The full-back, who is out of contract this summer and is free to negotiate a deal with foreign clubs, has offers to sign for Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City and AC Milan, according to Sky sources.

But who is Kolasinac? Here's all you need to know about the Schalke left-back...

Sead Kolasinac - Factfile

Age: 23
Position: Left-back
Club: Schalke
Nationality: Bosnian
International caps: 17

Background

Kolasinac was born in Karlsruhe, Germany and started his career with his hometown club before moving to Hoffenheim in 2009.

After just one season he was snapped up by Stuttgart before moving to current club Schalke in 2011.

Premier League trio chase Kolasinac
Premier League trio chase Kolasinac

Sky sources: Arsenal, Everton and Man City chase Schalke's Sead Kolasinac

It's at the Veltins Arena where the 23-year-old has grown into a first-team star and since breaking into the Schalke first team in September 2012 he has been a regular ever since.

He has scored four goals in 117 appearances since making his debut for the club.

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Position

Kolasinac started his his youth career as a central defender and occasionally played as a holding midfielder.

However, it's as a left-back that he's made his name in the senior ranks.

Part of his appeal though is his versatility because he can play across the defensive line, he's been deployed as a left wing-back and also in the left midfield position.

Style of play

Kolasinac certainly has the physical attributes to play in the Premier League. He's six feet tall and has a stocky build, bringing strong physicality to his defending.

The left-back, who is also very good on the ball, has an excellent work rate and never shys away from a tackle - traits which would see him at home in England's top-flight.

(L) of Muenchen and of Schalke battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and FC Sc
Image: Kingsley Coman (L) and Kolasinac battle for the ball

He's also good in the air, winning 39 out of 69 headed duels this season with a 57 per cent success rate.

This season, he has made 31 appearances for Schalke, scoring three goals and he also has five assists to his name, showing he has no problems in getting forward.

International career

Born in Germany, Kolasinac represented his native country at U18, U19 and U20 level.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Sead Kolasinac (R) vies with Cyprus' Jason Demetriou (L) during the FIFA WC2018 qualifying football match Bosnia and Herzegovina v
Image: Kolasinac (R) has won 17 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina

However, he switched his allegiance to Bosnia and Herzegovina - who he qualifies for through his parents - and has won 17 caps. Kolasinac featured in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil during Bosnia and Herzegovina's first appearance at the finals of a major competition.

He featured twice at the tournament and has an unwanted title of scoring the fastest own goal in World Cup history after putting through his own net just two minutes and eight seconds into Bosnia and Herzegovina's 2-1 group stage defeat to Argentina.

Who needs him most?

The battle for Kolasinac is well and truly on. Sky sources understand the full-back has offers to sign for Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City and AC Milan, but who needs him most?

Our colleagues at Sky in Italy believe he will sign for Arsenal, who are keen to add a left-back to their squad this summer.

during the Premier League match between XXX and XXX at Riverside Stadium on April 17, 2017 in Middlesbrough, England.
Image: Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal has struggled at times this season

First-choice left-back Nacho Monreal has struggled at times this season and with Kieran Gibbs - whose game-time has once again been limited - also weighing up his future at the Emirates Stadium, Kolasinac would be a welcome addition to Arsene Wenger's squad.

Pep Guardiola will look to freshen up his squad in the summer and full-back is reportedly a position he wants to strengthen.

Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov are all in their thirties so Kolasinac could provide some much needed fresh legs for City in the full-back position.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Leighton Baines (C) of Everton competes against Danny Simpson (L) and Marc Albrighton (R) of Leicester City during the Emi
Image: Kolasinac would provide competition for Leighton Baines (C) at Everton

The same could be said for Everton's chase of the Bosnia and Herzegovina international.

Leighton Baines has been an excellent servant for Everton and continues to put solid displays in at left-back, but Ronald Koeman could just have one eye on the future with his bid to sign Kolasinac, while AC Milan's new Chinese owners are also keen on his signature.

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