'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer, according to Football 365 (via Just Arsenal). The Gunners are currently in the midst of another strong summer transfer window and are still in search of more reinforcements to improve their squad ahead of the new season.
Gvardiol, 20, has proven to be one of the best young defenders, plying his trade at RB Leipzig. He joined the Red Bull-owned club last summer from Dinamo Zagreb for £16.92 million and made an instant impact.
The Croatian made 46 appearances last summer, contributing two goals and three assists across competitions, as Leipzig maintained the joint-meanest Bundesliga defense (37 goals).
According to the aforementioned source, centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has been linked with a move to Juventus, explaining why Arsenal are scouting for a replacement.
The Gunners spent big on a centre-back last summer, bringing in Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion for £50 million. According to Transfermarkt, Gvardiol is currently valued at around £32 million. However, Leipzig could ask for a higher price, as the player is contracted to them till 2026.
However, Arsenal are not the only club in Gvardiol's pursuit. Premier League champions Manchester City are also in the race for the versatile Croatia international, who can also play left-back.
Even without the departure of Magalhaes, the Gunners would still need an additional centre-back as a back-up. Rob Holding is currently their only other centre-back, and there are question marks over the futures of Pablo Mari and William Saliba. According to Sports Mole, the latter does not want to pen a new contract with the Gunners.
Arsenal will play three pre-season friendlies in the United States
The Gunners are in the United States as part of their pre-season ahead of the 2022-23 season. The Gunners are scheduled to play three friendlies.
Mikel Arteta's side will take on Everton in Baltimore on July 16. They'll then face Orlando City on July 20 in Orlando before taking on Chelsea three days later.
The Gunners will end their pre-season preparations with a home game against Sevilla in the Emirates Cup on July 30.
The north London side won their first pre-season friendly 3-5 against German side Nurnberg. They will open their Premier League campaign on August 5 away against Crystal Palace.
