Arsenal plot to rekindle interest in midfielder wanted by Emery this summer

Arsenal are set to rekindle their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku this summer.

The Germans are set to be on the receiving end of a mini-exodus in the coming months, and the Gunners look set to capitalise on the upheaval with a swoop for the 23-year-old.

What’s the story?

It’s safe to say that Mikel Arteta’s first full season in charge at the Emirates has presented its fair share of challenges.

The Gunners are still battling to secure a top half finish in the Premier League, and aside from a Europa League run, their silverware prospects are all but extinguished.

With that in mind, reinforcements are being eyed up in north London, and Nkunku appears to be a high on the club's list of priorities.

As per Sky Germany, Arsenal are looking to reignite their interest in a player who they have been monitoring since 2018, when Unai Emery arrived at the club.

The Frenchman, who is a U21 international, has been deployed all across the midfield since arriving in Germany from PSG, and could offer the Gunners depth in a variety of key positions.

Arsenal’s hopes of landing him could be significantly boosted by the fact that Leipzig are set to endure a difficult summer of transfer activity, with a number of top talents headed for the exit door.

Dayot Upamecano has already agreed to sign for Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, while his defensive partner Ibrahima Konate has caught the attention of a number of the Premier League’s big guns, with Liverpool favourites to sign the Frenchman.

Marcel Sabitzer has also been linked with an Anfield switch, though Tottenham are also in the hunt.

The Gunners are keen to get in on what could ultimately amount to a bit of a frenzy.

Do the bookies fancy it?

Given Arsenal's longstanding interest in Nkunku, there was some muted talk of him arriving at the Emirates in January.

Back then, a deal was priced at 16/1 – fairly long odds for a deal to go through.

Since then, however, Leipzig have seen a number of key assets at the centre of mounting speculation, and don’t be surprised to see Nkunku become and increasingly central figure in the discussion over the coming weeks.

Is it likely to happen?

At this stage, there’s nothing to suggest that it couldn’t.

Clearly, Arsenal’s interest is a serious one – if nothing else, simply because of how long they’ve been monitoring him.

Much could depend on Leipzig’s stance going into the summer transfer window.

With players leaving left, right, and centre, will they look to hang on to anyone who can be bolted down, or will they cut their losses and start anew?

Only time will tell…

What are fans saying about it?

For the most part, it seems that Arsenal fans are pretty excited about the prospect of Nkunku arriving in the Premier League.

@MichaelTrance1 tweeted: “Nkunku is one saucy footballer”.

@InvincibleArs tweeted: “Nkunku at Arsenal would get us a guy who can be a sub for both ESR and Odegaard without hurting the quality in our attacks. That would be money well spent”

@tobias_james04 tweeted: “We should have signed him when he was at PSG - Emery knew ball.”