Arsenal in race against time to seal cheaper deal for top defensive target
Arsenal have made Jonathan Tah their top defensive target, but will have to act quickly to get him at his cheapest price.
Tah has emerged as a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, making 17 starts in the Bundesliga this season – enough to see him pass 150 appearances for the club in his five seasons there.
Arsenal had been looking to the Bundesliga for a centre-back reinforcement, with RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano regularly linked – but Bild claim their real top target comes from elsewhere in the league.
It is suggested that the Gunners want Germany international Jonathan Tah to ease their defensive issues, having already signed Pablo Mari in January and knowing William Saliba will be joining up in the summer after his loan at Saint Ettiene.
Tah made his Germany debut in 2016, and was a late inclusion in their squad for that year’s European Championships, but had to wait until 2019 to feature for his country again.
The 24-year-old has since become a prominent figure for club and country, leading to interest from several European clubs.
Arsenal are keenly interested, but Bild add that Atletico Madrid are also in the race to sign him.
The pair of potential suitors will be attracted by Tah’s €40m release clause – but Bild warn that the clause is only valid until the start of Euro 2020 on 12th June, and that it could increase further if Leverkusen qualify for the Champions League.
After that date, Leverkusen will be able to negotiate a higher fee if they are forced into selling Tah, meaning Arsenal face a race against time to secure their man.
Meanwhile, the other main name linked with Arsenal, Upamecano, has opened up on the rumours that clubs are interested in him – vowing to make the right decision in the summer.
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