Arsenal frontrunners to sign Dayot Upamecano

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.

The Gunners were in the market for the French centre-back in the summer but saw a late bid rejected as the Bundesliga side held out for £70m.

However, Arsenal remain interested in the 20-year-old and could be set to land their man ahead of AC Milan, who are also keen, according to Calciomercato.

Upamecano’s contract at Leipzig is thought to contain a release clause that lowers each year, making the centre-back available for closer to the £50m Arsenal were hoping to spend on him.

The defender made his return from injury around a month ago and has since started each of the team’s five games, impressing with his ability on the ball and his physicality off it.

Arsenal’s defensive issues are well-documented, and there are hopes Upamecano could form a long-term partnership with summer signing William Saliba, presently on loan at Saint-Etienne.