Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Mark White

Arsenal set to move for versatile French star as part of defensive shake-up: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds their fans after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England

Arsenal are looking at bringing in a versatile French defender to their squad in a bid to improve cover at the back.

The Gunners were flying high in the Premier League until an injury to William Saliba somewhat derailed their campaign. The young centre-back was taken off against Sporting with a back problem and Arsenal have struggled without him ever since. 

The injury was compounded by the loss of Takehiro Tomiyasu in the same match, with the Japanese full-back being ruled out for the season after suffering a knock in the same game. It has left some questioning the depth that Arsenal have at the back compared to the likes of Manchester City.

Arsenal's fortunes were dented this season with the loss of Saliba (Image credit: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Furthermore, makeshift right-back Ben White's struggles defensively at the weekend perhaps imply that more cover is needed, with the centre-back having to fill in on the right side of defence for most of this season, including every single minute since the loss of Tomiyasu.

Ed Aarons of the Guardian, however, claims that Arteta is set to address these issues by bringing in Mohamed Simakin of RB Leipzig to add to the depth in defence.

The French defender ticks a number of boxes for the Gunners. At 6'1, he has the commanding frame that Arteta favours from his defenders while at Leipzig, he has played both on the right of the defence and centrally.

Simakin is still just 23, too, but unlikely to cost most than £30 million. Arteta may wish to mould him from a squad player into a first-choice player for seasons to come.

Mohamed Simakan is on Arsenal's radar (Image credit: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Arsenal are believed to be eyeing a new centre-back this summer, with Ben White now established as a full-back – but Simakin would offer the option of being able to play both roles. 

Transfermarkt estimates Simakin to be valued at €28m.

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal are already being linked with a host of big names ahead of a season back in the Champions League. 

Mason Mount is an option in midfield, with Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic and Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby rumoured in the attack. Both Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Crystal Palace star Wilf Zaha are on the radar, too. Younger stars are interesting the Gunners, too: Vitor Roque might end up at the Emirates, while Flamengo's Matheus Franca is being watched. 

Meanwhile, cult hero Mathieu Flamini has refused to rule out a move to buy Arsenal. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.