Romano shares major update on Arsenal midfield target | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid have sent a formal bid to sign NK Kustosija Zagreb midfielder Baye Coulibaly, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Negotiations have started between the La Liga club and the Croatian club for the 18-year-old Mali youth international, but other clubs are also interested in him.

Arsenal are reportedly keen on Coulibaly but face competition from Atletico, Getafe, Girona and Red Bull Salzburg.

He caught their eyes at the 2023 under-17 World Cup, but it appears Atletico are now in front of the queue for his signature.

Kustosija want £5 million for Coulibaly, and Arsenal may need to offer something better than Atletico to have a chance of landing the versatile defensive midfielder.

The Malian can also play at centre-back and will take his time before making a final decision ahead of the January transfer window.

Arsenal signed Spain international midfielder Mikel Merino this summer, and they already have Thomas Partey and Declan Rice capable of playing in defensive midfield.

Signing another option for the position in January may not be part of their plans.

However, they will likely continue to monitor Coulibaly and could make a move for him next summer if Atletico do not finalise a deal for him by then.

The club have been strengthening their academy ranks with some of the best teenagers available, and landing Coulibaly could save them millions in the transfer market.