Arsenal and Tottenham have reportedly joined the race to sign Getafe defender Djene Dakonam, who is also being tailed by a number of other European clubs.
According to an exclusive report by The Sun, Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in signing Djene Dakonam. The north London rivals, though, will have to vie with a host of other European clubs for the Getafe defender’s signature, with the likes of Everton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and AS Monaco also in his pursuit.
Djene Dakonam has enjoyed an extraordinary rise to fame since joining Getafe from Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2017. One of the most consistent defenders in La Liga over the last two-and-a-half years, the Togolese has played a pivotal role in Getafe’s advent in recent years, with the Azulones boasting one of the best defensive units in the division.
Since joining Getafe, Djene has made 96 appearances, missing just two league games when fit and available and was even named in the La Liga 2018-19 Team of the Year. His exploits have not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal and Tottenham among the clubs that have their sights set on the 28-year-old.
Arsenal have shown some improvements as far as defensive structure is concerned, in the early days of Mikel Arteta. However, both David Luiz and Sokratis are on the wrong side of 30 and are hardly spring chickens. With Rob Holding’s growth stunted by injuries and Calum Chambers on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, the need to sign a centre-back is rather urgent.
To that end, Arsenal have been recently linked with John Stones, although a January move is unlikely, with Manchester City reportedly unwilling to part ways with the Englishman. As a result, Djene is a viable target for Arsenal, who also face competition from local rivals Tottenham in his pursuit.
Tottenham have struggled to impose themselves at the back under Jose Mourinho, who is sure to be alarmed by his side’s defensive struggles. Add to it the fact that Jan Vertonghen, who is in the final year of his deal with the club, is no closer to signing a new contract means that a new central defender is the need of the hour.
Ben White is among the players who have been touted as possible targets for Tottenham, with Djene the latest centre-back to now be linked with Spurs. Arsenal and Tottenham, though, are not alone in their chase for the Togo international, who also has suitors in Everton, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Southampton and AS Monaco.
In fact, Monaco have even tabled a £12.8 million bid for the player, which has been swiftly knocked back by Getafe, who value the defender at £22 million. The price tag should not faze Arsenal or Tottenham, although it will be interesting to see if they are ready to part with the sum to sign him.
It now remains to be seen if either of Arsenal or Tottenham can do enough in the remaining weeks of the January transfer window to secure the services of Djene Dakonam, who appears to be a popular man in the transfer market.
