Arsenal eye £70m RB Leipzig star Upamecano as they step up centre-back chase

The Gunners are looking to bring in a central defender as they agree deal to sell Laurent Koscielny to Bordeaux

Arsenal are eyeing a move for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano as they battle the clock in their bid to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new season.

The Gunners are in the market to bring in a centre-back before Thursday’s 17.00 BST transfer deadline having agreed a fee with Bordeaux for Laurent Koscielny.

The 34-year-old is in France to undergo a medical ahead of a €5 million (£4.6m/$5.6m) move to the Ligue 1 club - with a deal expected to go through within the next 24 hours.

Arsenal had been reluctant to let their captain leave, even after he had refused to travel with the squad for the pre-season tour to the United States.

But having held several rounds of talks with the defender during the past week, he made it clear he was determined to return to France - so a deal has been agreed with Bordeaux.

With Koscielny’s exit now imminent, Arsenal are looking to bring in a replacement and are interested in 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender Upamecano.

Contact has been made with the Bundesliga club, but Leipzig value the Frenchman at around £70m ($85m) - a price that would make a deal extremely difficult for Arsenal, given the budget they are working to this summer.

There is also continued interest in Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani.