**Arsenal are “working behind the scenes” to sign a new centre-half, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.**
[**Reports**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-transfer-news-jules-kounde-3/) in the Spanish press have linked the Gunners with Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, and speaking on his [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spbi9uKVuSA), Romano said he has not had it confirmed that the Premier League champions are pursuing the Frenchman, but he knows they are working on recruiting someone of his ilk:
“Questions today also on Jules Kounde and Arsenal.At the moment, guys, nothing advanced. Arsenal, for sure; what I can add to the story is that Arsenal keep looking for a centre-back. Arsenal are working behind the scenes on a new centre-back.”
“Tottenham are not selling Romero to Arsenal. I told you, this is why Romero is close to Atletico Madrid. Arsenal are still looking for a centre-back on the market.”
“Kounde, in my personal opinion, would be a smart solution because he can be a right-back; he can be a centre-back. So he would be a good solution for Arsenal, who probably need to cover both positions in terms of players.”
“But we will see how many they will add. Maybe it’s going to be just one, but at the moment, from both sides, they are not confirming any advanced negotiations for Jules Kounde to Arsenal.”
Price is likely to play a part in who Arsenal sign
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Kounde and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa do look like ideal targets to cover for the injured William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, considering they are able to play in both their positions.
However, Konsa’s asking price is said to be £60m, while Kounde is unlikely to be much cheaper, having only signed a new contract last summer.
It may well be the case that sporting director Andrea Berta is seeking an option who costs significantly less than that.
Who could be targeted instead of Kounde and Konsa?
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Romano mentions one of the possible alternatives, Cristian Romero, but Spurs have closed the door to that possibility, even if the player himself was seemingly open to the controversial move.
West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also reportedly been looked at, but the fact that he can only play right-back, and would still cost £25m, means an approach was never likely.
Como’s Jacobo Ramon is another name on the radar, but like Wan-Bissaka, he can only play one position – centre-back – and he has a pretty high valuation too.