Arsenal are looking for a new central defender this summer.
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano – but Unai Emery actually wants Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti instead.
The Gunners are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer, but having missed out on the Champions League again, Emery has a limited budget at his disposal.
Some players may be offloaded to raise funds for a new defensive addition, with some youth and pace needed at the back alongside Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Now, the Daily Star report that Arsenal want RB Leipzig defender Upamecano, believing that the 20-year-old can make a real difference to their back line.
However, Emery is set on Barcelona centre back Umtiti has his top target instead, with interest in the French duo fascinating given that they’ll both cost huge fees.
Upamecano is just 20 but has been a regular for RB Leipzig since signing from Red Bull Salzburg in 2017, impressing with his brute strength, impressive turn of pace and reading of the game.
Arsenal allegedly watched Upamecano in action for France Under-21’s on Monday, eyeing him up as a potential target assuming Emery can’t land World Cup winner Umtiti, with a deal there seeming unlikely even if Barcelona offload him as expected.
They may not have much luck with Upamecano either though, with ESPN recently suggesting that Upamecano is reluctant to play in the Europa League with Arsenal, with eyes only on a Champions League move if he’s to leave Leipzig.
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