Arsenal are facing increased competition in the race to sign Marcel Sabitzer as Borussia Dortmund are now targeting the RB Leipzig midfielder as well, according to Bild.
The Westfalenstadion giants are desperate to reinforce Marco Rose’s squad after selling Jadon Sancho to Manchester United. And the former Borussia Monchengladbach manager has given the go ahead for a deal to sign the highly coveted Sabitzer.
Dortmund chiefs Michael Zorc and Sebastian Kehl have been scouting Sabitzer for months. They are in awe of what the Austrian maestro can bring to North Rhine-Westphalia, and put his signature to Rose. And he would not say no to the 27-year-old.
Clubs around Europe admire Sabitzer and are tracking the midfielder now he is in the final year of his contract. It is also unlikely the £78,000-per-week dynamo will extend his terms with RB Leipzig, who are willing to grant his exit for €20m (£17m) this summer.
That price is certain to catch Arsenal’s attention, as Bild recently claimed the Gunners are also keen on Sabitzer. But Mikel Arteta already faced competition from AC Milan and Roma for the 54-cap international, who starred at Euro 2020.
Now, Dortmund have joined Arsenal, Milan and Roma in the summer spree to sign Sabitzer. The Bundesliga outfit know first-hand what the Austrian can offer, after facing the Leipzig captain 10 times since he joined the Saxony side from Red Bull Salzburg in 2015.
And it is no surprise that Zorc and Kehl have joined Arteta and co in courting Sabitzer. He scored nine goals and seven assists across all competitions last season, and led Leipzig to the DFB Pokal final.
Mourinho loves Arsenal and Dortmund target Sabitzer
As well as fending off Borussia Dortmund to sign Sabitzer, Arsenal will have to contend with a manager who is very smitten with the Leipzig midfielder in Roma boss Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese sought to sign Sabitzer last year but could not afford his €50m (£43m) release clause, per The Athletic. Mourinho again asked Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy to sign the Austrian in April, the Express reported. And now he has revived his pursuit with Roma.
Mourinho really likes the idea of signing his long-time target for the Serie A side, Gazzetta dello Sport note. So, he is sure to put up a fight with Sabitzer on the market for £17m, even if Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are also contending for his signature.
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