Arsenal are desperate to sign an experienced defender in the summer transfer window to cover for William Saliba, but have found themselves reliant on Tottenham for help
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta wants defensive reinforcements(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal could find themselves frustrated in the transfer market once again after it emerged that they could need a favour from Tottenham to land their latest target.
Mikel Arteta is keen to bring in an experienced defender this summer, to help provide cover for William Saliba, who will miss the start of the season due to a back injury picked up at the World Cup. They have identified Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as an option, but his £60million valuation and competition from Liverpool complicates things.
The Gunners have therefore turned their attention to Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, according to reports in Spain. The France international is capable of playing at right-back or centre-back, so would offer tactical flexibility to Arteta.
Sport says Arsenal are monitoring Kounde, who still has four years left on his Barca contract so wouldn't come cheap. It is said that the process has 'stalled' currently, partly due to Kounde's reluctance to leave the Catalan club.
However, Barca reportedly would consider a 'multi-million euro' sale because they need funds to revamp their backline. Hansi Flick's side, who have just loaned out Ronald Araujo to Liverpool, are said to be sounding out possible arrivals should Kounde leave.
Their top target in that eventuality is Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro, whose stock is extremely high after helping Spain win the World Cup. But this is where Arsenal's chances of landing Kounde get even more remote.
Porro recently signed a new contract with Spurs until June 2031 and is a key player for manager Roberto De Zerbi, who has no intention of letting him go. It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old could have his head turned by Barcelona if they step up their pursuit.
Jules Kounde of France
Jules Kounde is a target for Arsenal (Image: Jose Breton/Getty Images)
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"Pedro is a very important player for us, who has consistently shown his ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking situations," De Zerbi said after Porro signed a new deal in June.
"As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level."
Arsenal have already been frustrated in their failure to land Vinicius Junior, who used their interest to negotiate a new contract with Real Madrid. The Gunners have therefore been forced to look for alternatives in attack, with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez the dream signing.
Pedro Porro #12 of Spain
Pedro Porro's stock is very high after the World Cup (Image: John Todd/Getty Images)
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Asked if fans could expect further signings this summer following the £75m capture of Bruno Guimaraes, Arteta replied: "Well that's what we're trying to do. If we have the right player in the market to make us much better, we are very looking forward to that."
Arsenal's defence has been leaky in pre-season, but Arteta has insisted that hasn't increased their desire to sign a defender. "I wouldn't go there just to put it isolated there," Arteta said after losing to Borussia Dortmund
"We conceded some poor goals the other day, some poor goals today. In the way we competed, especially. But that's a very collective responsibility. So we need to improve with the players that we have. And we want to improve for sure."
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