Arsenal ready to make cut-prize move for RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano

Premier League giants Arsenal are ready to make a cut-price move for RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano in the upcoming winter transfer window. The Gunners failed to complete a £40m move for the young French defender in the summer, but will now try to get a deal done once again. The German side are braced with a fresh bid for their priced asset, it has been confirmed.

The 20-year-old central defender has not signed a contract extension at the Red Bull Arena and his contract is up for expiry in the summer of 2021. With the prospect of losing him for nothing in just over 18 months, RB Leipzig are likely to be open to offers for the Frenchman and may consider pushing through a deal.

An offer worth £40m is believed to be enough for Arsenal to convince the German giants to sell the promising defender. The Arsenal defence is in a complete state of chaos and they are struggling due to that. It is further understood that Upamecano is the primary target of Unai Emery, as he looks to add more quality at the back.

The Arsenal boss already signed David Luiz from Chelsea in the summer, but the back-line hardly looks improved. A complete revamp is needed and Emery has identified Upamecano as the first piece of the puzzle.

Upamecano is eyed as the main man for Arsenal's defence for the future, just like how Virgil van Dijk is for Liverpool. Emery also has youngster William Saliba for the future. The Frenchman is on loan at St. Etienne this season and could be the ideal partner to his compatriot in the long run.

Upamecano turns 21 next week but is in his third season as a first-team player at Leipzig, following a brief spell at Red Bull Salzburg. The strong and commanding French youth international has featured in five games this season in all competitions.

However, there is strong competition for places at Leipzig and Upamecano mostly has to make way whenever there is an injury within the back-line. Ibrahima Konaté and skipper Willy Orban are ahead of the Frenchman at present in the pecking order.

This is the big reason why Upamecano has been stalling on contract negotiations for so long and will consider leaving soon. A move to Arsenal will be a good deal for all the parties involved in the deal, with the north London giants keen on improving their defence soon.

Cover image credits: Evening Standard