ARSENAL are desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to assemble a squad capable of competing for the Premier League title.
The Gunners are said to be willing to listen to offers for several players as the Spaniard hopes to strengthen in three key area – including in defence.
Chris Smalling, Samuel Umtiti and Daniele Rugani are three defenders Arsenal have been tracking
Central defenders Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz are not rated highly by fans, and the former is expected to be moved on after the season finishes.
William Saliba will arrive following his loan spell at Saint-Etienne but, at 19, may not be thrown into the mix right away and Calum Chambers is out injured until the autumn.
That leaves Arteta scrambling to help out England centre-half Rob Holding and here SunSport runs down nine players Arsenal are rumoured to be in for…
Chris Smalling
The Gunnershave ramped up their interest in Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in recent months.
Roma are looking to turn their loan for the England star into a permanent deal but are said to be shocked by the Red Devils’ £25million price-tag and are looking to negotiate a lower fee.
Still only aged 30, he should be at his peak for a central defender and would be hungry to enjoy some first-team action at one more big club – particularly one closer to his family in the south of England.
Better yet, his passing game has improved in Italy, with his average pass completion this season at 89 per cent.
Pablo Mari
The Spanish centre-back has already expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal despite the coronavirus lockdown meaning he’s made just one Premier League start for the club.
Mari joined the Gunners on loan from Brazilian club Flamengo in January – with a view to a £13.5m permanent switch.
RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano has remained a long-term target for ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dayot Upamecano
The RB Leipzig defender has been a long-term target for Arsenal, who were priced out of a January swoop for the 21-year-old.
The France Under-21 international has a £50m release clause in his contract and with just 18 months left on the deal, the Bundesliga side may be forced to cash in.
Leipzig concede less than a goal agame when Upamecano is on the pitch.
Daniele Rugani
The 25-year-old was linked with an Emirates move throughout the summer, but David Luiz was instead signed from Chelsea on deadline day.
Arsenal have since reignited their interest in the £10m-rated Italian, but face serious competition from Leicester City.
Rugani, who was limited to just three Serie A appearances this term, was listed as one of the names set to be axed by Juve as part of a post-coronavirus clearout.
Jerome Boateng has struggled to cement his place at Bayern Munich this seasonCredit: Reuters
Jerome Boateng
Arsenal were put on red alert earlier this year by the news that veteran wants to quit Bayern Munich after failing to hold down his place in the first-team.
The Gunners have been leading the chase for the 31-year-old but club bosses refused to sanction a deal in January due to concerns over his fitness and £196,000-a-week wages.
However Boateng’s future will again be speculated upon once the current season ends with just one year left on his contract in Bavaria.
Samuel Umtiti
The Gunners are also vying with league rivals Manchester United and Tottenham in the race to sign Barcelona defender Umtiti.
The French star, 26, has featured just seven times for the Catalan giants this season after struggling with form and injuries.
But Umiti dealt reports of Arsenal returning in the summer a blow by the news that he does not want to leave Barca as he enjoys living in the city.
Moreover, new boss Quique Setien is clearly a fan of the World Cup winner and has given him plenty of playing time since taking over from Ernesto Valverde.
Arsenal are looking to snare Kris Ajer and already have good relationships with Celtic following the deal for Kieran Tierney Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Kristoff Ajer
Arteta is also rumoured to be set to swoop on Scottish champions Celtic for their 22-year-old Norwegian defender.
Ajer has become an established first-team player over the last three seasons, having signed at Parkhead when he was 18 from IK Start in his home country.
AC Milan and Leicester are also said to be in for the £25m centre-half who can also play right-back.
Merih Demiral
Arsenal were said to have been leading the race to take Juventus defender Merih Demiral away from Turin in the summer last month.
The Gunners are known to be admirers of the 21-year-old and were interested in signing him in January.
The Old Lady are holding out for an over £35m offer for Demiral, despite him only playing five times in Serie A this term.
Axel Disasi
Lastly, Arsenal made contact with Reims in a transfer swoop for £13m wonderkid Axel Disasi.
The 22-year-old centre-back, who is under contract with the French outfit until 2021, had been in scintillating form this season.
The Paris-born defender has commanded a regular place in the first team, making 27 Ligue 1 appearances for a side that has the best defence in the league with just 21 goals conceded this term.
Arsenal are expected to rival West Ham, Southampton and Monaco for Disasi’s signature.
Arsenal have made contact with Reims about wonderkid Axel Disasi
Piers Morgan blasts footballer Mesut Ozil for not accepting Arsenal’s coronavirus pay cut proposal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
