Sources: Arsenal exploring two centre-back transfers, including Chelsea target
Arsenal are stepping up their interest in strengthening in defence this summer, with a top young centre-back likely to be the priority.
The Gunners have a long-standing interest in Real Madrid’s Victor Valdepenas, and my sources have confirmed another name to me in conversations this morning.
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One player Arsenal really like, and who is attracting growing interest ahead of this summer, is Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon.
The 21-year-old joined Como from Real Madrid last summer, and it’s important to note that they have a buy-back clause, and also a 50% sell-on clause.
The buy-back clause gives Real the edge if they decide to re-sign him, which is possible but I can’t confirm that it’s on the cards at the moment, while the hefty sell-on clause is likely to inflate his price so Como can still make decent money from any deal.
Arsenal and Chelsea in mix for Jacobo Ramon transfer
Chelsea have been linked with Ramon in recent times and my understanding is that they are still considering him as one of a number of options to strengthen their defence this summer.
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Still, well-connected sources now say Arsenal are stepping up their interest as well, as they strongly consider him alongside Valdepenas as an ideal profile to give them a long-term successor to Gabriel Magalhaes.
Gabriel is one of Arsenal’s most important players, but he’s now 28 and arguably starting to show some signs of decline after injury problems both this season and last term.
“Arsenal are looking very closely at Valdepenas and Ramon this summer,” one source said. “Their scouts have watched them several times and the feedback has been really positive. Arteta wants a young centre-back that can eventually become Gabriel’s replacement to partner Saliba.”
Could Jacobo Ramon return to Real Madrid?
As mentioned above, Real Madrid have favourable conditions to bring Ramon back, so any interest from other clubs could convince them to move.
This is what Los Blancos did with Nico Paz, whom they also sold to Como with a buy-back clause which is set to be triggered this summer.
Still, Madrid signed Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth last summer so arguably don’t need another top young defender quite as much.
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