According to the Guardian, Arsenal have registered their interest in Augsburg's Ghanaian full-back Baba Rahman but were told the player would cost up to ââ¬20m (ã14m) this summer.
Rahman has emerged as one of the most highly-rated left-backââ¬â¢s in European football after enjoying an excellent campaign in Germany where his superb displays helped Augsburg secure a record high fifth placed finish in the Bundesliga table.
His impressive form has attracted interest from several top clubs and the Guardian claim that Arsenal have joined the likes of Chelsea, Juventus, Altetico Madrid and Manchester City in contacting Augsburg to register their interest in the player.
However, the German outfit arenââ¬â¢t going to be pushed around by the big boys as the newspaper states theyââ¬â¢ve made it clear Rahman wonââ¬â¢t be sold for anything less than ââ¬20m (ã14m) this summer.
So it looks like weââ¬â¢re going to have to be prepared to dig deep if we want to sign the Ghana international while weââ¬â¢ll also face stiff competition for his signature â⬓ although the Guardian do suggest that Rahman favours a move to England so that will give us a decent chance of winning the race.
The 21-year-old is the latest left-back to be linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks, and I must admit Iââ¬â¢m a little surprised Arsene Wenger is on the market for another left-sided defender this summer.
We already have Gibbs and Monreal to fill that role so if we do bring in another left-back, it must surely suggest that one of the current pair are leaving?
I donââ¬â¢t think thereââ¬â¢s any chance Gibbsy will go so my bet would be Monreal. There have been rumours linking him with a move back to Spain but Iââ¬â¢d be surprised if we let him go after his excellent form during the closing stages of last season.
I suppose weââ¬â¢ll have to wait and see how it all develops but Iââ¬â¢d personally be shocked if Gibbs and Monreal werenââ¬â¢t our two main left-backs come the start of the new campaign.