STUTTGART are eager to extend Konstantinos Mavropanos’ loan from Arsenal for another season.
And they believe the Greek star is the new Dayot Upamecano – who has just sealed a £40million move to Bayern Munich.
Stuttgart want to extend Konstantinos Mavropanos’ loan from Arsenal for another seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mavropanos, 23, has been in excellent form for the Bundesliga outfit this term, playing 14 games in all competitions.
He joined Arsenal from PAS Giannina in January 2018 but struggled to impress in just eight appearances.
Mavropanos had a mixed spell with second-tier German side Nurnberg last season.
But he looks like a new man in the top flight with Stuttgart, who are ninth in the table and just two points off a Europa League spot.
Sven Mislintat was the man who brought Mavropanos to Arsenal in his former role as head of recruitment.
He is now sporting director at Stuttgart and was instrumental in convincing Mavropanos to join them over other interested parties last summer.
Mislintat, who spent just 14 months at the Emirates after being appointed in November 2017, admits he is eager to keep the centre-back for at least one more season.
And he believes Mavropanos can be likened to RB Leipzig superstar Upamecano due to his defensive capabilities and lightning-quick speed.
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Mislintat told The Athletic: “We’re super happy that he’s been a regular starter in recent weeks.
“We would like to keep him on loan one more season, if possible. But that will be down to Arsenal.
“He has all the hardware and all the software to be a great defender.
“He has been unfortunate, he’s got a lot of injuries. A pubic bone inflammation kept him out for more or less for one and a half years.
“The moment we thought we could play him, he tore his meniscus. It’s important for us to get him fully match fit.
“If he can stabilise physically, he’s undoubtedly a Bundesliga-level defender.
“He’s one of the fastest centre-backs in the league alongside Dayot Upamecano.
“A super guy, a model pro. You have to admire his energy, all the strength it took to get over his injuries.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
