Arsenal are reportedly in talks with Reims over a potential deal for central defender Axel Disasi.
The Gunners are believed to have initially made contact with the Ligue 1 side in December but were unable to come to an agreement during the January transfer window.
Disasi will be out of contract at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, though, and Reims are allegedly prepared to allow the defender to leave this summer to avoid losing him for free 12 months later.
Mikel Arteta's side are expected to be relatively active during this summer's transfer window, with the capital giants largely struggling for consistency during the 2019-20 season.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the former France Under-20 international.
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Disasi's breakthrough in the game came at Paris FC, making his professional debut for the capital outfit in December 2016. The defender only made three first-team appearances for Ligue 2 side, though, before joining Reims in 2016, initially turning out for their second team.
The centre-back helped Reims win Ligue 2 in 2017-18 but has enjoyed a breakthrough 2019-20 campaign, making 32 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal in the process.
Arsenal have reportedly been scouting Disasi since the start of the season, and the Gunners are likely to have been impressed by the former France Under-20 international's contribution to the cause.
Indeed, he has played a leading role in Reims boasting the best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, conceding just 21 times in their 28 matches. In fact, only Real Madrid have a superior defensive record in Europe's top five leagues during the current campaign.
Arteta's side are allegedly likely to pay in the region of £15m should the deal go through this summer, with Disasi being joined by William Saliba, who will return from a loan spell at Saint-Etienne.
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The Gunners are one of a number of clubs to be strongly linked with RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano, but the Frenchman will allegedly cost in the region of £55m - his release clause - this summer.
Disasi would therefore represent a cheaper option, and the 6ft 3in centre-back's numbers across the board are strong. Indeed, he has averaged 3.6 clearances per game in Ligue 1 this term, in addition to 1.2 tackles and 2.8 aerial duels won, while his pass success rate in France's top flight is 84.6%.
The fact that the defender has only missed one league match for Reims this season is also impressive, and it would be fair to say that Arsenal are crying out for some consistency in a defensive position.
Disasi represents somewhat of a risk considering that he has not played professional football outside of France, but at £15m, the deal makes complete sense for the Gunners.
Indeed, Arteta's side have conceded 36 times in the Premier League this season - only the eighth-best defensive record in the division - and central defence is certainly an area in need of strengthening as the club look ahead to the 2020-21 campaign.
Matt Law
