‘Most exciting’: Arsenal’s Mertesacker raves about defender Emery reportedly wanted in 2019

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Arsenal’s transfer window last summer was an emotional roller coaster for the fans. It was initially reported that their transfer kitty was no more than £45 million, (Mail) but they eventually ended up spending more than twice that amount.

Unai Emery was urged by many to focus on strengthening one key area – Arsenal’s central defence. The Gunners, instead, decided to spend big on a forward in Nicolas Pepe who cost a whopping £72 million. (BBC)

Arsenal decided to bring in David Luiz on transfer deadline day but he clearly wasn’t their priority target. Emery’s side were heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano last summer.

The Gunners even had a £65 million bid for the Frenchman rejected by Leipzig (the Sun). This season’s Champions League semi-finalists were holding out for a staggering £92 million, which would have become the world-record fee for a defender had Arsenal agreed to it (the Sun).

Arsenal refused to meet Leipzig’s asking price and Upamecano stayed put. However, it is clear that he still has many admirers around the Emirates with the Gunners’ academy boss Per Mertesacker being one of them.

The former Arsenal skipper spoke to Goal about Upamecano’s quality, calling him one of the most exciting central defenders in world football.

He said: “I was very excited about the Atletico game. He (Upamecano) showed so much and did it right: the courage of a Lucio who just goes forward, but also my solid game of simply finding the right man or withdrawing.

“If he continues like this, works on himself and remains consistent, he will generate more interest. He’s definitely one of the most exciting central defenders the world has to offer right now. RB certainly made the contract extension very tasty for him. It’s exciting to see where his path is going.”

It really is exciting to see where his career takes him. Arsenal could certainly do with a player of Upamecano’s quality in their back-line, but there is very little chance of them landing him now.

The Frenchman is likely to stay in Germany for another season but there is no doubt that he will make a big move next summer. All the big teams will keep an eye on his situation, but it looks like Arsenal have missed their opportunity.