Arsenal hold an interest in signing RB Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele, but so do Atletico Madrid after Kieran Trippier’s exit.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Mukiele is a player on Arsenal’s radar if they move for a new defender any time soon.
That may sound odd given that Arsenal did just sign a right back over the summer in Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Yet with Cedric Soares being linked with a move to Atletico Madrid whilst both Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin are out on loan, Arsenal may yet need another right back.
It’s now stated that Arsenal like Mukiele and may be interested in signing him should the opportunity arise.
Mukiele, 24, has excelled since joining Leipzig from Montpellier in 2018, shining as a right back, right wing back or even centre back.
Quick, strong and with plenty of ability on the ball, Mukiele would fit a similar kind of bill to Tomiyasu in terms of his versatility and defensive ability.
Branded ‘tireless’ by bundesliga.com, Mukiele is a quality performer right now and has plenty of potential for the future.
Leipzig surely won’t sell Mukiele easily, especially in the January window.
Yet if Cedric does end up leaving, we could see Arsenal make their move for Mukiele.
Atletico’s interest in both players is interesting; we could just as easily see a situation where Atletico don’t sign Cedric, and instead pay up to land Mukiele and take him off Arsenal’s wish list.
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