Arsenal have made an approach to sign talented Paris St-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer this summer, it has been claimed.
The 18-year-old has been offered a new contract by PSG but is open to a move to a top Premier League club, with training compensation set to be just over £150,000 after his contract expires at the end of June.
According to the BBC, the Gunners have made ‘contact’ with Mbemba’s representatives and outlined what the club could offer to him, making reference to William Saliba’s progression when signed from Saint-Etienne.
Saliba signed for Arsenal for £27million in 2019 and spent three years out on loan, first back at Saint-Etienne and then Nice and Marseille, before returning to Mikel Arteta’s side for the 2022/23 season.
The Frenchman has since established a spot in Arsenal’s first-choice XI alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back, making 184 appearances and helping the Gunners win the Premier League title this season.
Mbemba could replicate Saliba’s progress and he is reported to ‘favour’ Arsenal, having seen the recent stability and success the team have had under manager Arteta’s leadership across the last six years.
View 2 ImagesEmmanuel Mbemba has been linked with a move to Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
During his chat with Arsenal, Mbemba was told he would go out on a European loan until January 2027, giving the 2008-born sensation time to seal a work permit to play in England.
While Mbemba has primarily played as a centre-back for PSG’s Under 19s this season, the Gunners view him as a long-term option at left-back and succeeding Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie.
Mbemba is a France youth international and has made 27 appearances for PSG’s U19s this term, scoring twice. He was part of the PSG side that lost to Real Madrid in the semi-final of the UEFA Youth League.
Arsenal are expected to be active in the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad after winning the Premier League title. Sandro Tonali, Eli Junior Kroupi and Julian Alvarez are among the players being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
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