Arsenal have approached free agent Malang Sarr with a contract as their search for a centre-back continues.
According to a report published by the Express, Arsenal are interested in signing another centre-back this summer and have tabled an offer for free agent Malang Sarr.
Sarr was promoted to the OGC Nice’s first team in 2016 after impressing regularly with their B squad. He did not take time to phase in and was guaranteed a starting spot the minute he was promoted, ending the season with 27 appearances out of a possible 38.
Four years on from that season, the Frenchman has not lost his starting spot in the team and has played a wide variety of roles including centre-back, left-back and at times defensive midfield.
In the 2019/20 season, Sarr clocked in 19 games, out of which 16 were starts, playing mostly as in the left-of-centre in a backline of three. He has averaged almost four accurate long balls per game, and a total pass accuracy of 90% per game.
The Frenchman was on his last year of contract with Nice and refused to extend it knowing the departure to a better team could be on the cards soon. And that is exactly what has happened as Arsenal and RB Leipzig are ready to go head-to-head for his signature.
Mikel Arteta’s arrival on the sidelines has improved Arsenal’s defence considerably but, they still have a long way to go. This improvement has stemmed after the Gunners shifted to a three-man backline featuring Shkodran Mustafi, David Luiz and Sead Kolasinac since Project Restart.
Arsenal have already confirmed the permanent signing of Pablo Mari and have extended David Luiz’s contract which means the London outfit will have eight centre-backs for next season including William Saliba who will permanently move to Arsenal this summer. Not to forget, Kolasinac can and has put in a shift in that position.
There are only two players who are over the age of 30 and signing Sarr could, thus, be problematic for both the club and the player even if he comes at a zero signing cost. A move to Leipzig could turn out to be be a better option for 21-year-old. Arsenal should, instead, look to bring in a midfielder that will improve their creative prowess.