Augsburg defender Abdul Rahman Baba’s agent is in talks with Arsenal over a potential summer transfer, according to German source Bild.
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The talented young left-back was one of the stars in the Bundesliga last season as he registered four assists in 31 apperances as Augsburg finished fifth in the table.
That type of form has seen him linked with a move away during the transfer window and he’s emerged as a transfer target for Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea, who have reportedly tabled a bid for the 20-year-old [via Mail Sport], but have been told to up their offer to £14m, according to Independent Sport.
Rivals Manchester City are also thought to be in the race to sign Baba, say Bild, who are unsurprisingly expected to invest heavily in their squad this summer after finishing last season empty handed. However, it would appear that the Gunners have stolen a march on all three clubs by opening talks with the player’s agent.
It’s reported that Sascha Empacher has already travelled to London for negotiations with several clubs, and Arsenal were one of them.
The North London outfit’s apparent interest in the left-back is somewhat of a surprise given their strength in depth in that area as Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs are battling it out to be the club’s first choice in that position.
Although given that Baba is still quite young and has time to improve, it could be that Emirates Stadium boss Arsene Wenger has earmarked this potential signing as one for the future, particularly as Monreal is now 29 and could be heading towards the end of his career in the next few years.