Arsenal are understood to be keen on signing Bayern Munich defender Medhi Benatia at the end of the season.
According to the Daily Star, the Gunners are looking to reinforce the centre of the defence, and presumably see Morocco international Benatia as they key man to solve one of Arsene Wenger’s problem areas.
Per Mertesacker is an experienced operator, but is regularly exposed by a lack of pace, while Gabriel Paulista hasn’t truly kicked on as many had expected. While the Brazil international impressed when he first arrived at the Emirates Stadium, he has demonstrated himself to be something of a temperamental and error-prone operator over the last 12 months.
Benatia, by contrast, is already a fully finished product, and has demonstrated—both at AS Roma and at Bayern—the class and composure required to immediately step into the heart of the defence and make an impact as Arsenal look to challenge for the Premier League next season.
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Benatia isn’t the only Bayern player linked with a move to North London this summer, with the Mirror reporting earlier this weekend that Arsenal are also keen on Poland forward Robert Lewandowski.