Arsenal may have to fork out €20 million for the services of the Club Brugge defender Odilon Kossounou, who is also a target for Milan.

According to Voetbal, Arsenal are set to face stiff competition in the pursuit of Odilon Kossounou. The Club Brugge centre-back has become one of the hottest prospects in the transfer market, following his breakthrough in the Jupiler Pro League, with AC Milan Inter and even Wolves among clubs interested in his services.

Milan, in particular, have shown a desire to sign Kossounou, who has been identified as an ideal replacement for Alessio Romagnoli. The player is currently valued at €8 million, but Club Brugge could demand at least €20 million.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Kossonou was reported by the English media earlier this month, with Mikel Arteta keen on bolstering his defensive options. The Ivorian became an appealing option for the Gunners due to his versatility that allows him to operate not only as a centre-back but also as a holding midfielder and even as a right-back.

Kossonou’s performances in the Champions League have also raised a lot of eyebrows, with the defender slotting in as the ideal deputy for the injured Stefano Denswil. The club’s interest in the 20-year-old, therefore, is hardly surprising, especially following a January exodus in the defensive unit.

Indeed, the north London giants offloaded both Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis while Sead Kolasinac was loaned out to FC Schalke. In addition, the future of Calum Chambers appears to be in doubt in the upcoming summer transfer window, leaving Mikel Arteta quite shallow in terms of depth.

Although the club is reportedly looking to extend the contract of David Luiz for a further year, the addition of someone like Kossounou should add some much-needed depth. His ability to play at right-back also bodes well for Arteta, who is braced to lose Hector Bellerin as well, although the Spaniard is reportedly targeting a move for Max Aarons this summer.

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Kossounou, along with William Saliba should serve as ideal, young defensive options for Arsenal next season, providing competition for the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari and Luiz. And for a fee of just €20 million, the Ivorian could indeed turn out to be a real bargain for the Gunners.

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