Yahoo Finance Arsenal target Ibrahima Konate transfer: Mikel Arteta wants RB Leipzig defender for summer rebuild
Konate in action against Manchester United
(Manchester United via Getty Images)Arsenal are one of a number of clubs tracking RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old is being scouted by sides across Europe in the hope he could be available this summer.
Arsenal are one of those monitoring Konate, with the club considering bringing in another centre-back at the end of the season.
The Gunners offloaded Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos during the January transfer window and more defenders could leave in the summer.
David Luiz is out of contract then, Dinos Mavropanos may stay in Germany after a successful loan spell at Stuttgart this season and Calum Chambers is likely to attract suitors if he continues to struggle for game time.
William Saliba is due to return from his loan spell at Nice in the summer, but Arsenal are weighing up signing another centre-back to provide further competition for the Frenchman, Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding.
Konate is one player on the Gunners’ radar, however they would be expected to face competition from several of Europe’s top sides.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday the club are already making plans for the summer transfer window, but much will depend on how the side finish the season.
Champions League qualification, most likely by winning the Europa League, would boost the club’s finances and also make them more attractive to any potential signings.
Arsenal have a number of decisions to make regarding players in the summer, with midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira due to return from loan spells at Hertha Berlin and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah will also have one year to run on their current contracts, with playmaker Martin Odegaard and goalkeeper Mat Ryan due to head back to their parent clubs after finishing their loans too.
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Arsenal summer transfer planning under way says Mikel Arteta but will depend on how season finishes
