Arsenal have reportedly joined Lierpool in pursuit of Diego Carlos, who has a £68 million release clause but could be available for around £54.5 million.
According to a report by Daily Telegraph, Arsenal are the latest club to have emerged in pursuit of Diego Carlos. The Brazilian defender, who has a £68 million release clause in his Sevilla contract, is also the subject of from Liverpool, and could be available for as much as £54.5 million this summer.
Diego Carlos joined Sevilla from Nantes last summer and was an instant hit at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. A mainstay at the back for Los Nervionenses, the 27-year-old missed just two La Liga games when fit and available, while chipping in with a couple of goals as well.
His exploits this season with Sevilla seemed to have attracted a number of clubs across Europe. In particular, a lot of interest seems to be coming from the Premier League. Liverpool and Manchester City have already been linked with the Brazilian defender and the two clubs have now been joined by Arsenal in his pursuit as well.
Arsenal are currently loaded with central defensive options, with Mikel Arteta having as many as seven first-team options at his disposal, apart from Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac, both of whom have been used as centre-backs as well. Former Arsenal star Charlie Nicholas has opined on this situation, urging Arteta to offload Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi.
Sokratis indeed faces an uncertain future at the north London club, after struggling to feature post the resumption of football. Either way, Arsenal will need to sell to make room for a new defender and that, in turn, could boost their budget as well. Carlos, though, is a viable target for the Gunners, who might have to battle Liverpool for him.
Liverpool parted ways with Dejan Lovren last month, thereby opening up a spot at the back. Lovren’s uncertain future had meant that the Reds were linked with a few centre-backs of late, with Ben White another one of their targets. Carlos, though, would be an experienced option to line up alongside Virgil van Dijk, someone who could hit the ground running.
Carlos also has a number of admirers across Europe, but his £68 million release clause complicates matters, including for Arsenal, who might be unable to afford the sum. The report, though, suggests that Sevilla might be tempted to sell the 27-year-old for around £54.5 million, which could probably bring the Gunners and Liverpool into contention.
Even so, Arsenal will need to sell to raise funds despite their budget being boosted by their Europa League qualification in the aftermath of the FA Cup triumph. What now remains to be seen is if the north Londoners or Liverpool are able to land Carlos this summer, or if they turn their attention towards cheaper options.