Arsenal confident of Dayot Upamecano transfer in January with RB Leipzig ‘ready to sell for £40m’
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ARSENAL have received a boost in the race for Dayot Upamecano with RB Leipzig ready to sell for £40m this January.
The Gunners were interested in the highly-rated defender last summer, but could not secure a deal.
The 21-year-old has been looked at by a number of clubs around Europe, and the German side are now thought to be happy to let him leave.
, he will be allowed to exit next month provided they can tie down Tanguy Kouassi to a contract.
The 17-year-old is on the brink of letting his terms run down at PSG to move to Leipzig on his first professional deal.
He is seen as the long-term successor to Upamecano, who was expected to stay until at least next summer.
Arsenal are looking to sign a centre-back in January, with new boss Mikel Arteta desperate to strengthen that area.
It is understood the Gunners had a £55m-plus bid rejected for the Frenchman during the summer window.
David Luiz was signed for £8m from Chelsea instead, but he has not lived up to expectations so far this campaign.
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Upamecano’s contract expires at the end 2021, and fresh terms have not yet been agreed.
It is thought he has a £92m release clause, which is reduced to £60m in 2020.
Meanwhile, Arteta is also looking at signing a new defensive midfielder in January.
Granit Xhaka is set to quit the Emirates and join Hertha Berlin after he agreed terms to move back to Germany.