Everybody at Arsenal is on board with trying to sign the RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano, according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.
Despite the Gunners recently announcing the permanent signing of Pablo Mari from Flamengo and the news that David Luiz will remain at the club for another season (via Arsenal.com), it is being reported that the French defender remains a transfer target.
The 21-year-old has been one of the Bundesliga side’s standout performers this season, averaging a very respectable performance rating of 7.08/10 (via WhoScored.com).
When asked whether the recent news means Arsenal will no longer be in the transfer market for a central defender this summer, Sami Mokbel told the Touchline Fracas podcast: “I think everyone from the manager to the recruitment staff, to the board, are on board with trying to get Upamecano over the line. I just think the finances would preclude that and again, that is a problem. He would be an expensive signing, he looks like he’s going to be a top player from what I’ve seen, he’s got all the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.”
TIF Thoughts…
Upamecano is currently valued at £40.5m according to Transfermarkt.co.uk, meaning Arsenal would need to break the bank this summer in order to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium.
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William Saliba, signed from Saint-Etienne last summer for £27m spent this season, up until it was suspended, playing in Ligue 1 and is due to join up with the squad ahead of the 2020/21 campaign adding to Mikel Arteta’s central defensive options and so we believe his arrival, plus the recent business involving Luiz and Mari could indicate the Gunners aren’t looking to spend big on their defence this summer contrary to Mokbel’s comments.