Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano with the Bundesliga side ready to sell him for a cut-price fee next summer, according to reports.
The 20-year-old was a target for the Gunners in this summer's transfer window but the Premier League outfit failed in a bid to sign him when their £55million offer was rejected.
Instead, Arsenal opted to sign David Luiz from Chelsea but early season indications are that the Brazilian is not good enough to solve Arsenal's defensive issues.
Since then, it has been reported that Upamecano's release clause will drop to £53m unless he signs a new contract before the end of the season.
Football Leaks revealed last year that the player's £86m (€100m) release clause at Leipzig reduces by £17m (€20m) each year and clubs will be able to buy him for £52m (€60m) next summer.
However, Leipzig are ready to accept a lower fee to stop the risk of losing him on a free when his contract expires in 2021, according to Kicker.
Leipzig signed him for £9m from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2017 and he has risen through the ranks to become one of the most sought after young defenders in world football.
He has only made four appearances so far this season though after missing the first four games with a knee injury.