Konate is on Arsenal radar

ARSENAL are tracking RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 21-year-old Frenchman (below) is being scouted by sides across Europe, with the Gunners one of those monitoring him as they seek to bring in another centre-back.

During the January transfer window, Arsenal offloaded Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos — and more defenders could leave at the end of the season. David Luiz will be out of contract, Dinos Mavropanos may stay in Germany after a successful loan spell at Stuttgart and Calum Chambers is likely to attract suitors if he continues to struggle for game time.

William Saliba is due to return from his loan spell at Nice, but Arsenal are considering signing another centre-back to provide further competition for the Frenchman, Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding.

Konate is one player on the Gunners’ radar, however they would be expected to face competition from several of Europe’s top sides.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday the club are already making plans for the summer, but much will depend on how they finish the season.