Arsenal set to beat Manchester United to latest French prospect
Published:
Arsenal are closing in on deal to bring highly-rated Valenciennes youngster Dayot Upamecano to the Emirates, according to reports.
The Daily Mirror’s John Cross has revealed that the north London club are keen to sign the 16-year-old as part of a £1m deal with the French Ligue 2 club.
A France under-17 international, Upamecano has also attracted interest from both Inter Milan and
the Gunners’ Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Cross claims that the Red Devils were near to completing a deal for the defender, prior to the close of the transfer window, with a fee reportedly agreed with Valenciennes.
News of the potential deal for Upamecano comes just weeks after Arsenal completed a deal for 17-year-old Polish unknown Krystian Bielik.
Recruited from Legia Warsaw for £2.4m last month, the Konin-born midfielder has already drawn comparisons with Gunners legend Patrick Vieira and could be competing for a first-team place as early as next season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are in action against Leicester City at the Emirates later, with the Gunners 3/10 favourites with Ladbrokes to beat the Foxes.
Arsene Wenger will be keen to see a response from his team following the weekend’s 2-1 defeat to north London rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
That result has left Arsenal in sixth and two points off fourth-placed Manchester United in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Despite this, Ladbrokes currently has the Gunners as the 2/5 second favourites to secure a top four finish with the club’s favourable run of fixtures likely to prove a decisive factor in the coming weeks and months.
But fail to secure Champions League football next season and the likes of Upamecano may just consider changing their stance.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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