Arsenal have made an enquiry to sign Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, but the defender is against a move to the Emirates.
The Gunners remain keen to add more depth in defence this summer despite the fact that they have already signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.
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Mosquera was brought in to help with depth behind William Saliba and Gabriel, as both centre-backs spent time injured last season, and the Gunners want cover. Last year, Jakub Kiwior stood in as the backup, but reports have suggested that the Poland international could leave this summer amid interest in the Serie A.
So, Arsenal enquired about Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, however, the 19-year-old has reportedly refused a move to the Emirates this summer, meaning that Arsenal will need to consider alternative targets.
Arsenal should sign Wolfsburg centre-back Koulierakis
If all the Gunners are looking for is a young centre-back, who can both add depth, and develop into something more, then it isn’t as though Jacquet is the only option around.
Assuming that Jacquet was a target to replace Kiwior, who has a market value of around £24m, then Arsenal could instead look at signing Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis, who has virtually the same transfer market value as Kiwior according to Football Transfers.
Furthermore, the Greek defender is 21 years-old, so has plenty more experience than Jacquet, meaning that he could be more valuable in his first season if the Gunners were to sign him.
Last year, Koulierakis made 30 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg, even managing to provide two assists. Plus, he was linked with Liverpool as a long-term Virgil Van Dijk replacement in March, meaning that Arsenal could snipe their Premier League title rivals, and land the Greek defender instead.
He is a ball playing defender, something that Kiwior struggles with, and not only that, but he is a more physical player, and is better in the air. It does come as a surprise that no Premier League teams have looked at him this summer, apart from tenuously Liverpool, so the Gunners should swoop in and get him.
Click here to see Arsenal’s current first team squad.