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Home > Arsenal > Arsenal Looking to Compete With Manchester City to Sign €35m Rated Bundesliga Defender | An Alternative to William Saliba

Arsenal Looking to Compete With Manchester City to Sign €35m Rated Bundesliga Defender | An Alternative to William Saliba

Josko Gvardiol, Arsenal

Arsenal have turned their attention to RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol as a William Saliba alternative. Saliba has made a strong case for himself to be included in the Gunners squad for the 2022/23 campaign. Although it looks unlikely for the Frenchman to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, there are several reports suggesting that Olympique Marseille want to sign the player on a permanent basis.

Josko Gvardiol is one of the hottest defensive prospects in Europe right now. Along with Arsenal, Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the Croatian international. The Gunners’ North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing the centre-back. The 20-year-old made 46 appearances for RB Leipzig across all competitions last season (stats via transfermarkt).

Josko Gvardiol, RB Leipzig, Arsenal
Image obtained via TEAMtalk

According to Media Foot (via Football London), Arsenal could add Josko Gvardiol to their transfer list if they lose William Saliba on a permanent deal. However, that will not be easy as the Gunners will face competition from the Premier League Champions themselves. City admire the Croatian who fits the player profile for both both the teams.

Pep Guardiola’s side are looking at the Croatian as a replacement in case Nathan Ake leaves the club. Whereas at Arsenal, he could become one of the regular names on the team sheet. Reports also suggest that RB Leipzig could demand a fee in the region of £80 million for the 20-year-old defender.

Josko Gvardiol has scored 2 goals and given 3 assists for RB Leipzig in all competitions in the recently concluded season. He has been a regular for Leipzig which is a great feat to achieve at just 20 years of age. Any club will be willing to secure the signature of Gvardiol but it is Manchester City and Arsenal who are strongly considering his move to the Premier League.

Why Should Arsenal Avoid Pursuing Josko Gvardiol?

The Gunners used Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes as their primary centre-back partnership last season. This combination worked out quite decently for the North London club throughout the 2021/22 campaign. However, they will need serious depth in the centre-back department to challenge for trophies in the upcoming season. The Gunners have Rob Holding along with Saliba, who has returned from his loan spell with Marseille.

Josko Gvardiol
Image obtained via GOAL

William Saliba is one of the most talented and skillful young centre-backs in Europe right now. The 21-year-old defender hasn’t played even one competitive game for the North London side since his arrival three years ago. He has spent all those three years on three different loan spells. However, the French defender has now finally established himself as a centre-back capable of being in the starting XI on a regular basis.

Arsenal fans will count themselves lucky for being the supporters of a club that could be trusted with the handling of William Saliba. The 21-year-old French international has made it clear on previous occasions that he remains dedicated to playing for Arsenal. Next season could be his breakthrough year when he achieves his goal of playing for the Gunners.

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RB Leipzig have set a very high asking price for Gvardiol. Instead of spending £80 million on a single player, Arsenal could strengthen their other positions with that money. Saliba will be like a new signing for the club as he will be making his first-ever appearance for Arsenal very soon.

Moreover, the North London side have to keep an eye on the financial aspect of their game to get the maximum out of limited resources and nail their rebuild process.

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