Reports | Arsenal eyeing cut-price move for Dayot Upamecano next summer
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Arsenal may be able to reignite their interest in transfer target Dayot Upamecano with the defender’s release clause set to become almost half it's previous value next summer. The Gunners wanted to add defensive reinforcements and Upamecano emerged as their top target, but no move materialized.
The Mirror reports that Arsenal may be able to rekindle their interest with Dayot Upamecano’s release clause dropping to £53 million. The Gunners’ bid of £55 million was rejected by RB Leipzig this summer reports indicate, with the Frenchman’s release clause then set around £70 to £90 million. L’Equipe now claims that Upamecano’s clause will fall to a modest sum and Leipzig are hoping to tie him down to a new contract.
The Frenchman’s contract runs until 2021 and that has caused a few problems for the Bundesliga side. After breaking into the limelight with Leipzig, who signed him for £9m from sister club RB Salzburg in 2017, the defender has barely featured this campaign. That is thanks to a horrific knee injury that forced the 20-year-old out of action for months, with him only returning a fortnight ago. Arsenal had an extremely productive transfer window where they acquired names like Nicolas Pepe, David Luiz, Kieran Tierney.
However, with Tierney still recovering from a hernia problem, the Gunners have been heavily criticized for their poor defensive displays this season. They’ve already conceded 11 goals in 7 Premier League games and Upamecano could be a long term solution to Arsenal’s defensive woes. The North London side have already signed William Saliba and sent him out on loan, which could see him partner Sokratis, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers or even David Luiz when he does officially arrive next summer.
