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Arsenal could make a move for Mohamed Simakan

By on August 17, 2023

Arsenal could reportedly make a swoop for RB Leipzig star Mohamed Simakan in this transfer window, as per the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners were linked with a move for the Frenchman earlier this summer, but after purchasing Jurrien Timber from Ajax Amsterdam, it looked like they decided to cool down their interest in the 23-year-old.

Meanwhile, following the Dutchman’s knee injury, it has been suggested that Arsenal are now planning to sign a new defender to strengthen their backline before the end of this window.

Several players have been mentioned as potential targets for Mikel Arteta with Aymeric Laporte, Timothy Castagne and Kyle Walker-Peters being among them, but Simakan is now emerging as a serious target.

Writing on Caught Offside, Romano has reported that Arsenal considered the Leipzig star as an alternative option if they fail to secure Timber’s signature earlier this summer. But, after the 22-year-old’s injury absence, Arteta’s side could now opt to reignite their interest in Simakan to strengthen their defence.

Simakan to Arsenal

Romano wrote:

“As previously reported, Arsenal will explore the market for defenders after the serious and lengthy injury to Jurrien Timber. They will decide how to act soon, despite plenty of speculation emerging already about potential targets.

“RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan has always been on Arsenal’s list, he was plan B earlier this summer in case Timber didn’t end up joining. At the moment, however, Arsenal have not reactivated contacts to sign him, let’s see if that happens or not.”

Simakan – valued at around £21m by Transfermarkt – still has four years left in his current contract. So, Leipzig are in no rush to cash-in on him in this transfer window. In addition, having already sold Josko Gvardiol to Man City for a big fee, they wouldn’t want to lose any more defenders this summer.

So, it will be extremely difficult for Arsenal to purchase Simakan this summer and they will have to offer a lucrative proposal to persuade Leipzig to cash-in.

Having already invested more than £200m, it doesn’t look likely that they can spend big on any new signings this summer unless they raise funds by selling several players over the coming days.

It is going to be interesting to see whether Arsenal eventually manage to secure Simakan’s signature should they formalise their interest over the coming days.