Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the situation of RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, who has a €50 million release clause.
According to SportBild, Arsenal are interested in the services of Ibrahima Konate. The centre-back is among a host of RB Leipzig players facing an uncertain future at the club following their excellent performances in the Bundesliga.
Konate is, however, the most expensive player in a list that includes other stars like Dayot Upamecano, Angelino, Nordi Mukiele and Amadou Haidara among many others. It is believed that Arsenal, in fact, are one of many English clubs keeping an eye on him.
The Frenchman reportedly has a €50 million release clause, which could be unrealistic for Arsenal in the upcoming January transfer window, especially having splashed the same amount in order to secure the services Thomas Partey in the summer.
However, a permanent move to north London next summer could be pretty much on the cards for Konate, if we consider how Mikel Arteta has remained keen on reshaping his defensive unit.
The Gunners were extremely unlucky to have failed in getting rid of fringe defensive players like Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac in the summer. Even the returning William Saliba has been linked with a loan move back to St. Etienne.
One defender setting up another ?
Nordi Mukiele with the assist for Ibrahima Konaté's goal from a well worked Leipzig free-kick! pic.twitter.com/74UR4cMTtu
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 7, 2020
That scenario could be possible in January, however, with Sokratis almost destined leave after being snubbed from Arsenal’s Premier League squad.
As for Konate, he has once again been considered as a rotation player by Julian Nagelsmann, with the defender notably making just two appearances in the Bundesliga while featuring in all of the Champions League matches. The return of Willi Orban has been detrimental to his fortunes as far as his role in the first-team is concerned.
Nevertheless, Konate has recovered brilliantly following a disastrous game against Manchester United, as he was one of the best performers in the win over PSG. His physical and aerial prowess have already added another dimension to Leipzig’s backline, and he is sure to play a key role once again as the Bundesliga giants look to replicate last season’s success in Europe.
For Arsenal’s part, it would be wiser for them to wait as they simply cannot afford to spend €50 million on someone who still has a lot of room for improvement and isn’t particularly experienced at the highest level of football.
