Arsenal, Man Utd ‘seduced’ by ‘perfect match’ for the PL as Arteta sees Bundesliga star as ‘new solution’ | OneFootball

Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Simakan came through the youth ranks at French club Strasbourg before earning a big move to Bundesliga side Leipzig for around £15m in 2021.

The 23-year-old has impressed this season for Leipzig, particularly in his seven Champions League appearances, with Simakan providing three goals and four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.

Marseille-born Simakan has played the majority of his matches this season at right-back but he has also started a number of games at centre-back, showing off his versatility.

And now French publication Foot Mercato claim that the France under-21 international ‘could ignite the next transfer window’ with both Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City ‘seduced’ by his talent.

The report adds that Simakan’s performances have ‘stirred up the greed of several European clubs’ with Arsenal and Manchester City ‘particularly interested’.

From an Arsenal point of view, Simakan would ‘offer a new solution of choice to Mikel Arteta and could allow Ben White to switch back’ to centre-back after helping out at right-back for much of this season.

As well as Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae, Manchester United are ‘also targeting’ Simakan this summer with the Frenchman ready to ‘offer himself a new challenge’.

Arsenal boss Arteta could have a better chance of landing his top targets this summer if the Gunners can beat Man City to the Premier League title this season.

City travel to relegation-threatened Everton today, while Arsenal host Brighton in a later kick-off with just one point separating Guardiola and Arteta’s sides.

The Citizens have the lead and a game in hand but Arsenal boss Arteta has not given up on becoming the champions this season.

“We are going to continue to dig — dig, dig, dig, dig,” Arteta said in a pre-match press conference.

“And maybe the prize is there. We don’t know if it’s there, but we are going to continue to dig, just in case it is where we can get to, and make sure that we can do our best.

“The stakes are huge and we are full of enthusiasm to get that prize in the best possible way. To do that, we have to win our matches and the first one is Brighton and they are fighting for something very important.

“That is what is going to make it really complicated.”