Arsenal prepared to pay hefty fee to sign £42m star

Arsenal are prepared to pay a hefty fee to sign Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, according to Sport (page 7).

The Gunners are in the transfer market for an experienced centre-back following a back injury sustained by William Saliba at the World Cup.

Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is the prime target, but the Midlands outfit are reluctant to lower their £60 million price tag for the England international.

As a result, the Gunners are looking elsewhere. Sport claim the club are most interested in signing Kounde among Premier League sides.

The Premier League holders are ‘willing to pay’ a hefty fee for the former Sevilla man, provided he gives the green light for a move to the club.

As things stand, Kounde’s priority remains to stay with the Spanish champions.

Arsenal should find a quick centre-back solution

The Gunners had a mixed pre-season campaign. The absence of Saliba has been felt, and manager Mikel Arteta has tried different combinations.

Cristhian Mosquera was the natural right-footed replacement for the right centre-back role last term, but his performances have been below par.

16-year-old Marli Salmon started alongside Gabriel Magalhaes against Como recently. The youngster was brilliant in duels until his late substitution.

Mosquera is the likely candidate to partner Gabriel for the new season, but it is clear the manager is eyeing an experienced solution.

Kounde was primarily a centre-back during his time at Sevilla, but he has since played as a right-back for club and country for four years.

Still, the Frenchman has expressed frustration over not getting more opportunities as a central defender, which could push him to join Arsenal.

Kounde would be a fine signing with his superb ball-playing ability, duel-winning skills and recovery pace. He has also excelled with his tackling.

Barcelona signed Kounde for £42 million four years ago, and the Gunners may have to pay a similar fee at least to prise him away this summer.

The big question remains whether the Frenchman would open the door for a transfer. As things stand, there is no indication that will happen.

Hopefully, Arsenal can find a quick centre-back solution, given the club have plenty of games before the first international break in late September.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post Arsenal prepared to pay hefty fee to sign £42m star first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.