Arsenal could land a perfect long-term partner for William Saliba next season by bringing in RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate in the summer transfer window.
Reports in recent days have suggested that the Gunners are one of a number of big European clubs who are keeping a track of the France U21 international, with hopes that Leipzig could make him available for a transfer.
The 6 foot 4 defender has already built up considerable experience of playing at the highest level, playing high-pressure games in both the Bundesliga and Champions League – the 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the home victories over Manchester United and PSG in the group stages of the competition.
In a profile piece by Bundesliga.com, they likened him to Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, writing: “Whether it be in terms of positioning, sticking tight to the striker, intercepting passes, tackling or building from the back, Konate cannot just do it all, he makes it look easy.
“He has the pace to match the quickest of attackers and the physique to bully – rather than be bullied by – muscular strikers much more experienced than he is.”
And that pace and speed to catch up with opposition strikers could be absolutely crucial for Arteta, who wants his side to press from the front and play a high-line.
The Spanish boss can be heard and seen on regular occasions on the touch-line gesticulating for his defenders to push up higher, and that kind of tactic only works when you’ve got a pair of centre-backs, in particular, who are comfortable with sweeping up anything in behind.
In Saliba and the £31.5m-rated Konate, the Gunners would have two young defenders who have got that unique pace to fulfil what Arteta wants, and it’s exactly why it has all the makings of being a dream duo for the north Londoners.
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