ARSENAL are in pole position to land RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano after failing to land him in the summer, according to reports.
The 20-year-old Frenchman was a target for the Gunners in the summer but they were priced out of a £70m switch.
But Upamecano’s deal at the German club means his release clause drops by £17m with each passing season.
And despite serious reported interest from AC Milan, Italian outlet Calciomercato claim the Gunners now lead the way for his signature.
It means Arsenal can land him for around £50m if they can stump up the cash in the summer.
RB Leipzig will be keen to sell and boss Unai Emery is in the market for defensive reinforcements.
David Luiz was signed for £8m on deadline day while question marks remain over the form of Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Outcast Shkodran Mustafi is also on the transfer list having fallen out of favour under Emery.
Upamecano is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the Bundesliga and will not be short of suitors next summer.
Arsenal will be hoping their determination to sign him last summer could prove a factor in his final decision.
RB Leipzig will make a hefty profit on their star after signing him for just £9m from sister club RB Salzburg in 2017.
