Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain full-back Layvin Kurzawa on a free transfer this summer, according to reports in France Football(via Sun).
The report further states that the North London club were keen on signing the defender this month, but their plans were derailed by PSG boss who reportedly wants to keep hold of the player until the summer.
The 27-year-old will reportedly sign a 5-year-deal with the Gunners once his contract with PSG expires in the summer. The Sun further claims that Arteta has given a seal of approval to make the defender his first summer signing.
PSG manager Thomas Tuchel expressed his desire to keep hold of the defender ahead of PSG’s match against Lorient. This is what he had to say:
“Layvin is number two behind [Juan] Bernat in the left-back position. We need him and Layvin will play against Lorient.”
The left-back position is one area where the North London club are facing issues as both Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac have been facing recurring injury concerns. This has seen winger Bukayo Saka being asked to deputize there and to his credit, he has performed admirably.
But the team would be better off having a natural full-back play there. This is where the potential signing of Kurzawa will go a long way in solving that problem. It would have been more beneficial to get him this month.
Though he is a defender, he is excellent at the attacking end and even has a Champions League hat-trick to his name. All of these are qualities will be appealing to Mikel Arteta who likes his left-back to push up and provide width.
The French defender was a hugely impressive member of the Monaco side but his form at PSG has not been consistent at that level. If he is able to recapture some of his earlier form, it will prove to be a shrewd signing by the Gunners.
The team needs to be strengthened if the club is serious about getting back into the Champions League.
