Arsenal are reportedly looking at the possibility of recruiting Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez at the end of the season.
The Uruguayan has found himself back into the reckoning of Diego Simeone at Atleti following a muscular injury to Stefan Savic.
According to El Gol Digital, the Gunners could be prepared to part ways with Laurent Koscielny in a surprise deal to lure Gimenez to the Emirates Stadium.
Gimenez presently has a £57.3m release clause on his existing deal, and it is suggested that the Gunners will propose to offer Koscielny as a makeweight in order to reduce the overall fee.
Koscielny has shown signs of regression owing to his recurrent Achilles problem over the past 18 months, but he is nevertheless said to be rated highly by Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.
The defence has been one of the Gunners’ negative points over the course of the season, and there is likely to be a major revamp during the next transfer window.
Aside from Koscielny, the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding have underperformed at the back, and the fans can expect movement with Raul Sanllehi and Sven Mislintat brought in to handle the incomings and outgoings at the Emirates.
Gimenez, 23, has been a credible performer for Atleti over the past four-and-a-half seasons, but the Uruguayan could be tempted by a fresh challenge, given he is likely to play second fiddle, when both Diego Godin and Stefan Savic are fit for the central defensive duties.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see whether the centre-back would prefer playing for a club without Champions League, which may be the case with the Gunners, unless they win the Europa League crown this term.
