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Arsenal tool up with ‘strong’ push for Leipzig transfer, but ‘formal’ Newcastle approach could derail second deal

RB Leipzig stars Benjamin Henrichs and Mohamed Simakan

Arsenal are showing ‘strong’ interest in an RB Leipzig defender, though their hopes of signing a second Bundesliga player could be dashed by Newcastle, per a report.

Among the areas Arsenal aim to address this summer is the right side of their defence. Rob Holding’s displays in the absence of William Saliba exposed just how big of a drop off Arsenal suffer when without the French centre-half.

The Gunners’ season unravelled during Saliba’s absence, with Mikel Arteta more recently turning to the left-footed Jakub Kiwior instead.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is a player known to be on Arsenal’s radar. However, competition on that front is coming from Tottenham and Guehi is expected to cost in the region of £45m.

A more budget-friendly option who can also deputise at right-back is RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan. According to the Guardian’s Ed Aarons, Arsenal are showing ‘strong interest’ in the Frenchman.

The 23-year-old has been in and out of Leipzig’s starting eleven this term, though has still racked up 31 appearances across all competitions.

Simakan stands at 6ft 2in tall and has shown he’s more than capable of influencing the game from an attacking sense when featuring at full-back. Indeed, Simakan has notched three goals and eight assists this term.

Centre-back is his preferred position, however, and the Guardian state Arsenal’s interest is ‘strong’.

Simakan signed a new deal with Leipzig in December that doesn’t expire until 2027. As such, the German side are in a strong negotiating position and securing a cut-price fee is thus unlikely.

The Guardian’s report did not speculate as to how much Simakan might cost, though he’s valued at €28m (approx. £24.4m) by Transfermarkt.

Newcastle could torpedo second Arsenal move

Elsewhere, the Guardian’s article shed light on any Arsenal move for Amine Adli potentially being derailed by Newcastle.

The 23-year-old left-footed winger has bagged six goals and six assists for Bayer Leverkusen this term. The tricky forward counts Arsenal, AC Milan and Bayern Munich among his suitors, though it’s Newcastle who look likeliest to make their move.

The report adds the Magpies are considering whether to firm up their interest in the player and ‘could now make a formal approach’.

A bid of ‘more than £30m’ will be required to seal a deal for Adli who Leverkusen signed for just £13m from Toulouse back in 2021.

Adli’s fellow winger at Leverkusen, Moussa Diaby, is also confirmed to be on Newcastle and Arsenal’s radars.

However, Adli represents by far the cheaper option of the two given Diaby is valued at £60m.

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