Arsenal are reportedly very close to announcing the signing of soon-to-be free agent Layvin Kurzawa from PSG.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Todo Fichajes, PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa is set to complete a move to Arsenal on a free transfer when the summer transfer window opens, with an announcement due. The Frenchman will sign a five-year deal with Arsenal.
Kurzawa is on the last two months of his contract with PSG, and has been linked with several clubs, who wish to secure the soon-to-be free agent’s services, with Arsenal touted to be the favourites to sign him for a long time.
The 27-year-old has spent the last five seasons in the French capital after completing a move from their rivals, AS Monaco, in a €25 million deal. Unfortunately, though, Kurzawa has never managed to become a first-team regular in Paris, often blowing hot and cold through the duration of a season. This season as well, he’s played only 14 games, starting just 9.
He does, however, have his name in the history books of the prestigious Champions League as the only defender in the modern game to net a hat-trick in the aforementioned competition.
The Frenchman has not managed extend his deal with PSG and is due a move as soon as the season ends. An earlier report stated that Barcelona may be the club that finally beat Arsenal and secure his signature.
The Gunners were heavily linked to Kurzawa in January, but the transfer did not go through in time. However, it is now reported that Arsenal have signed him on a five-year deal.
In theory, Kurzawa would play second fiddle to Kieran Tierney. But, the Scottish international has only managed to accumulate five appearances for Arsenal, and has been pinned down by several injuries.
In the absence of Tierney, Arsenal have used Bukayo Saka as a makeshift left-back, and he’s instantly become a fan favourite in that position. Sead Kolasinac, too, has fought for the spot, but his defensive vulnerability has often left him down.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes that Mikel Arteta needs to work on Arsenal’s defence that has looked too frail for almost a decade now, and during an Instagram Q&A, he said, “Really you’re meant to be looking at centre-halves, they should’ve been looking there for the last 10 years and they haven’t got it right.”
Kurzawa is a fantastic player offensively, but defensively. he’s arguably worse than all the left-backs Arsenal have at the moment. However, with the announcement of a deal now imminent, it looks like the Frenchman will become the Gunners’ first signing this summer.
