Dayot Upamecano has been linked with a shock transfer to Arsenal as the transfer window approaches it’s deadline. And according to BILD, the first bid has already been submitted.

According to the reliable outlet, the Gunners submitted an initial bid of a whopping €60 million which was met by a quick rejection by RB Leipzig. As per various reports, the German outfit value the defender at a figure very close to his release clause which is said to be around €90 million. It seems very unlikely that Leipzig would consider cashing in on their star prospect for any less than their valuation. Sadly, for Raul Sanllehi and Arsenal, the Bundesliga side will set the ground rules for this transfer.

After having already exhausted their transfer kitty over the signings of William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe, the Emirates outfit are finding themselves in a tight spot financially. But with the offload of Laurent Koscielny, Carl Jenkinson, Krystian Bielik and the cut they’ll receive from the sell-on clause on Ismaël Bennacer, some of the spending has been recouped. So the Londoners can be expected to make a return for the Frenchman soon.

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And according to the fan-favourite journalist Fabrizio Romano, another improved bid for Upamecano can be expected before the transfer deadline. Several reports have reported similar news and some even say a slightly improved offer along with Emile Smith-Rowe on a permanent or loan deal could drastically increase the North Londoners’ chance of bagging the centre-back.

The 20-year-old is one of the best young defenders Germany has to offer and is highly rated by his France U23 peers. Should the English side managed to secure his signature, alongside Saliba, Upamecano can form a quality partnership that will last several years. There’s little space to go wrong here to be fair.

However, the problem is that Unai Emery‘s side are finding it difficult to match Leipzig’s demands. And with Julian Naglesmann insisting the French U23 international is a key player in his squad, luring him away from Germany would certainly be a Herculean task.

Read More : So Why Exactly Are Arsenal Being So Slow In Securing Defenders Whom They Desperately Need ?

On the other side, according to John Cross of the Mirror, the Premier League giants have apparently given up on the idea of signing the Leipzig prospect and are looking to move on to a new target. Although Cross isn’t exactly the most reliable journalist around, the latest tweets from David Ornstein hints the same. As per Ornstein, David Luiz is one of the candidates to fill in the gap at centre-back.

David Luiz is among options Arsenal working on for centre-back – delicate but not for 1st time (see 31/01/18) #AFC keen. Kieran Tierney remains a target, Eddie Nketiah still deciding but likely Leeds, Alex Iwobi will happen IF Everton make suitable offer #EFC #LUFC #CFC #CelticFC

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 7, 2019

At this point the Gooners must wonder — what’s worse, signing a 32-year-old Luiz who is well past his prime or Shkodran Mustafi still having not left the club yet, and will likely not season either?