A new contract to David Luiz, signing Pablo Mari on a permanent deal and William Saliba joining the club raised a number of questions over Arsenal’s summer plans for a new central defender.
The Gunners, along with the above-mentioned three, have Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding in their ranks with Dinos Mavropanos returning for next season as well.
Arsenal can afford to let go of two of them and still have enough central defenders in the squad, but a latest report has claimed that the Gunners are in talks to sign a new centre-half.
Marca (09:15) have claimed today that the Gunners have offered a contract to Malang Sarr. The young French defender left Nice at the end of his contract last month and is now a free agent.
A French under-21 international, Sarr is one of the most exciting defensive talents in world football. The youngster is also being chased by multiple clubs in Europe with the report claiming that RB Leipzig have also offered him a deal.
Arsenal’s interest really is strange considering their recent activity with Mari and Luiz. However the Gunners’ technical director Edu has prioritised bringing in young players, notably Saliba, Matteo Guendouzi and Gabriel Martinelli, and Sarr might be viewed as one for the future as well.
Sarr would be a risk-free signing
It will be interesting to see who Mikel Arteta keeps this summer. Sokratis is the favourite to leave having not played since the restart. Mavropanos might get another loan move while one of Holding and Chambers might also become available on the market.
Sarr has massive potential. The 21-year-old played over 100 games in the Ligue 1 and under former Gunner Patrick Vieira, he has learnt his trade very well.
As a free agent, Sarr would certainly be a risk free signing. However, Arsenal will have to deal with their own centre-halves before they finalise a deal for the exciting young French defender.
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