It’s been a hectic few weeks for Arsenal in the transfer market and it looks like the final few days of the window will not be any different.
With Laurent Koscielny leaving the club on Tuesday morning and Carl Jenkinson expected to follow him out the door, the Gunners are also looking to bring in defensive reinforcements.
As well as the chase for left back Kieran Tierney continuing, Arsenal appear to be willing to go big for 20-year-old central defender Dayot Upamecano. The Leipzig defender is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe and with just two years remaining on his current contract, it is possible that the German club could cash in on him.
Arsenal are 'hopeful' of completing a deal for Upamecano this week. A £55m bid has been rejected. The defender has just 2yrs left on his current contract so #Leipzig open to sale for big money. Leipzig want Smith Rowe in deal (loan or perm) [Mail]. https://t.co/AD9Ozq8fpm #AFC pic.twitter.com/GlilTmhkH6
— Fresh Arsenal (@Fresh_Arsenal) August 6, 2019
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have already had a £55million bid rejected but remain hopeful for securing a deal for the Frenchman. The Mail’s report also says that Leipzig would like Emile Smith Rowe to be included in the deal, whether that be as a loan or permanent.
Smith Rowe spent the second half of last season in Germany on loan but injuries restricted his appearances.
Should he sign, Upamecano would prove to be somewhat of a coup – beating some of Europe’s elite clubs to his signature. Alongside William Saliba next season, Arsenal could have two of France’s best young defenders.
Eddie Nketiah is also in talks to leave on loan and should a new defender arrive, Arsenal would be looking to sell Skohdran Mustafi, though they have until the end of the month to sell to other European clubs.
Arsenal would have to structure any deal for Upamecano via a series of staggered payment, though it seems Leipzig are not opposed to a deal of this nature.