Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa and are plotting a €20 million summer bid for the French international
Sport Mediaset have reported that Arsenal are interested in Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa. The Gunners are looking for a left-back as a long-term replacement for current first-choice Nacho Monreal and looks like they have shortlisted the Frenchman as a summer target.
As per the report, even though Arsene Wenger’s future is still up in the air, the club is intent on shortlisting the summer targets from now. And, they are plotting a €20 million summer bid for Kurzawa as they see the Frenchman as the solution to the left-back problem.
Nacho Monreal, who is the current first-choice at Emirates, is already 30 and Kieran Gibbs, who is the backup, has failed to show signs of taking over from Monreal anytime soon. Cohen Bramall arrived in January but the player is likely to take the reins over from Gibbs, who looks set to depart from the club in the near future.
Layvin Kurzawa progressed through the academy ranks at AS Monaco before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain for €25 million in August 2015. The left-back has since made the spot his own at Parc des Princes and has been immense for PSG.
Arsenal to make summer move for PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa https://t.co/5t8DIjowPA #PSG #AFC pic.twitter.com/Vts4RSXc2z
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) February 25, 2017
This season, Kurzawa has featured in 20 games in all competitions, with a return of 3 goals and 5 assists, numbers that make for great reading for a left-back. Arsenal have been linked with wide defenders like Faouzi Ghoulam, but face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and a few others.
Kurzawa has not been linked with other clubs as of now and Arsenal could have a potentially clear run on the player. However, the reported €20 million bid could end up being swiftly rejected, for PSG would not like to sell Kurzawa, who is a key player, for cheap, especially not for a loss.
The player is likely to cost much more than the aforementioned amount, especially with his PSG contract running till 2020. Also, PSG have no pressure to sell and with the managerial uncertainty surrounding Arsenal, for now, Kurzawa might not want to move to Emirates till the situation becomes clear.
Kurzawa, though, suits the profile of a defensively solid left-back who can contribute well on the attacking front as well. And, if Arsene ends up staying, we could see the 24-year-old strut his stuff in the Gunners shirt come the 2017-18 campaign.
