Arsenal are among the top sides in Europe who have agreed to trigger the release clause of Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has been a key player for Hoffenheim in the centre of the park, and his current £28m release clause has caught the eye of several elite clubs.
According to SportBild, the German footballer is of interest to the Gunners, who have made initial contact with his agent over a proposed move at the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old has developed into one of Bundesliga’s leading midfielders under the tutelage of Julian Nagelsmann, and this saw him earn his first two caps for Germany during their Confederations Cup triumph in Russia last summer.
A recruit from Hamburg, Demirbay has continued his bright form through the previous campaign, and he has contributed two goals and four assists this term (whoscored) whilst starting in 16 of his 19 appearances in all competitions.
Arsene Wenger’s side have struggled to find the control in midfield, especially in the away matches this season, and it appears that signing a new central midfielder will be one of the club’s priorities at the end of the campaign.
Nevertheless, Demirbay does not look like the dream target the Gunners’ faithful will hope for, though he could be one of the many players who are being closely monitored by head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund chief scout had played a significant part in signing Konstantinos Mavropanos from PAS Giannina last month, whilst he was also part of the visiting team to Dortmund to sort out a deal for club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
