Arsenal: Where Axel Disasi ranks among 4 other centerback targets
By Josh Sippie
2. Dayot Upamecano
Surprised to see him at No. 2? Don’t be. Keep in mind that I am factoring in price and competition into the equation in evaluating who would be best for this club. Granted of all the links we’re going to see, it’s going to be hard to top Dayot Upamecano. The entire footballing world is enthused about signing him from RB Leipzig and it’s plain to see why.
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Upamecano is the complete package. He handles the ball like a box-to-box midfielder but defends like an elite centerback. He’s proactive, he reads play well and rarely puts his own side at risk, he’s intelligent and experienced beyond his years and any team would be set for years if they can land him as their starting centerback.
But his price has been a major concern, as well as if he is even going to be leaving Leipzig at all. Take care to remember that Leipzig will be around the top of the Bundesliga for years to come, and prying him away won’t be easy. Especially if we don’t have Champions League football to tantalize him with.
Not to mention the simple fact that he could cost anywhere around £50m. That’s a lot of money, and it’s hard to justify dumping it all on him when Disasi for £15m isn’t that much of a downgrade, if at all.
Nothing beats No. 1 though.