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Arsenal open talks over deal for Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho

By Daniel on April 18, 2024

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has confirmed Arsenal have made contact about a potential deal to sign Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho this summer.

Some Gooners’ don’t expect Mikel Arteta and Edu to put emphasis on reinforcing Arsenal’s defence. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been immense at the back so some don’t feel another centre-back is needed.

Stats only further reveal how defensively superior Arsenal have been this season – they’ve conceded the fewest goals in the league (26), and they have the most clean sheets (13).

The outstanding defensive performance has, for sure, laid the groundwork for Arsenal’s promising run this season. However, it appears that the club has recognised the need to further strengthen its central defense.

Arsenal want Pacho

Willian Pacho, an Ecuadorian defender, is one of the high-quality defenders now being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Pacho, who’s only missed one league game this season, has starred for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. He has been crucial to the club’s successful league campaign this season. His performances have not gone unnoticed; top European clubs have been impressed.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are keen on Pacho and have made contact about a potential deal. However, the Gunners face competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Frankfurt are open to selling the 22-year-old but any deal could cost up to £51m. That would give the Germans a sizeable profit having only paid £7.6m to Royal Antwerp for his signature last year.

Frankfurt head coach Toppmoller heaped praise on Pacho this season, claiming the defender has ‘world class potential’.

“He’s doing a great job and is getting better all the time,” Toppmoller told reporters earlier this season.

“He’s really reliable and has world-class potential.”

Pocho is a left-footed centre-back so he would provide competition to Gabriel if he does end up joining Arsenal this summer.

However, Liverpool will provide stiff competition for his signature and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be prepared to spend around £50m on a back-up defender.