Arsenal 'in talks to sign £15m-rated defender Disasi' from Reims on 5-year deal

Arsenal are in talks to sign £15million-rated Reims centre back Axel Disasi on a five-year deal.

The Gunners had an initial approach rejected by the Ligue 1 side in December but with the 22-year-old’s contract expiring in June next year, Reims have agreed to let the player leave this summer to avoid losing him for free in 12 months.

Disasi, a France Under 20 international who is also eligible for DR Congo, has been scouted by Arsenal since the start of the season at Reims, where he has formed a key part of a defence that has conceded just 21 goals in 28 Ligue 1 games.

Only Real Madrid have a better defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues in 2019-20.

The move would further bolster manager Mikel Arteta’s centre back options, with 19-year-old William Saliba – who signed from Saint-Etienne for £27m last summer before being loaned back for this campaign – also adding to the ranks.

The fee discussed – understood to be in the region of £15m – represents Arsenal’s new market under a reduced transfer budget this summer.

The club were already financially hamstrung before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, having reported a £27.1m loss for the 2018-19 season.

The club were linked with RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, but the 21-year-old has been valued at around £80m by the Bundesliga side.

Director Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan, remarked last year that Arsenal have a ‘Champions League wage bill on a Europa League budget’.

And with the club ninth in the Premier League before play was suspended, Arsenal could be without any European football next season for the first time in 25 years.

High earners Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been linked with moves away, while club executives on Wednesday agreed to pay cuts of more than a third for the next 12 months to ensure all other non-playing staff can receive their full salary during the pandemic.