Arsenal are on the hunt for a world-class centre-back as they attempt to rebuild for next season.
The current campaign isn’t even over yet, but conceding three goals in three consecutive games against Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Leicester City has been chastening.
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Arsenal’s Spanish head coach Unai Emery
The Gunners could yet finish in the top four but need to improve their backline with Shkodran Mustafi currently a figure of fun, while Laurent Koscielny is 33 years old and reaching the end of his top level career.
Given the club currently only have a small transfer budget for the summer, there will be sales with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, and Mustafi possibly leaving for the right deal.
And, according to The Sun, Emery is looking at one of Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld, Kurt Zouma, and Djene Dakonam, although none would be bargains.
But what if there was some cheaper talent available? talkSPORT.com has scoured the globe and we reckon we might have five talented players who could cost a bit less than the names already in the frame, check them out below.
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Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig)
Strong in the air and a master at keeping it simple, Konate is excelling the Bundesliga.
Arsenal have previously been reported to be looking at the Frenchman and it is unsurprising.
He could do with improving his passing but he still moves the ball forward well and wouldn’t cost as much as some of the Premier League stars linked.
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Ibrahima Konate in action for RB Leipzig
Mario Hermoso (Espanyol)
Another player recently watched by the Gunners is the 23-year-old ex-Real Madrid centre-back. Reports in November suggested he was an option for Emery but nothing materialised in January.
His form this season earned him an international call-up back in November and he played against Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He times his tackles well and is happy to get physical without giving a foul, which could come in handy in the Premier League.
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Hermoso celebrates an Espanyol goal against Girona FC at Montilivi Stadium
Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta)
The composed Italian centre-back is another left-sided player, a requirement soon with Laurent Koscielny now 33 and approaching the end of a fine Emirates career.
Like Hermoso, he’s excellent at timing his challenges and at 6ft 3in he’s very capable aerially too.
He’s a huge Inter fan and wears the no.23 shirt in tribute to Marco Materazzi, he even had a tattoo of the ex-Everton centre-back when he was 16.
He’s also involved in namesake Roberto Mancini’s Italy squads at the moment thanks to his good form.
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Gianluca Mancini in action against Liechtenstein during Italy’s 2020 UEFA European Championships group J qualifying match
Joachim Andersen (Sampdoria)
Staying in Serie A, Andersen has been linked with rivals Tottenham in recent months.
He’s a fine ball-player who already possesses excellent positioning and intelligence, especially when it come to reacting in under pressure scenarios.
Andersen can pass the ball forward with relative ease and will try and get his team on the front foot quickly, whether it’s from dead balls or open play.
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Joachim Andersen in action for Sampdoria during a friendly with Fulham
Lisandro Martinez (Defensa Y Justicia)
A spritely young left-sided centre-back, Martinez would be a signing for the future. While some may baulk at his 5ft 9in height, the Argentine’s incredible technique with the ball at his feet makes him an attractive proposition in the modern game where centre-backs must be just as blessed with the ball as they are without it.
He’s got an excellent long range pass on him too if you’re looking for someone to spread the play. He’s can operate in a back-three or a back-four, and has also spent time at left-back, giving some versatility which would be welcomed at the Emirates.
Martinez, 21, also has one cap for Argentina as they look to youth, with Tottenham star Juan Foyth also a squad regular now.
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Lisandro Martinez on international duty for Argentina
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