Arsenal plotting swoop to land £27m defender as Emery eyes 2 new signings

The January transfer window is in full swing and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Arsenal are linked with Aissa Mandi….

Arsenal are plotting a swoop to sign £27m-rated Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi as Unai Emery looks to bolster his ranks this month, according to reports in Spain via The Sun.

We’ve seen our squad suffer a number of serious injuries this season with Hector Bellerin joining Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck in being ruled out for at least six months meaning the trio are all expected to miss the rest of the campaign.

Emery has confirmed the club are working hard to try and strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and the Spaniard confirmed to Arsenal.com today that he’s in the market for a new winger and centre-back.

Mandi appears to have emerged as a potential target as the Sun are citing a report from El Desmarque that claims Arsenal are eyeing a move for the Real Betis defender either this month or at the end of the season.

Emery has already said he can only sign players on loan in January so the report suggests Arsenal may have to wait until the summer to trigger Mandi’s £27m release clause if we can’t persuade Betis to do an initial loan this month.

Mandi came through the youth system at Reims and has proven to be an excellent signing for Betis since moving to Spain in 2016 with the 27-year-old playing a key role in helping them push for a top six finish in La Liga this season.

Given his importance to the team and the fact he’s under contract until 2021, it’s highly unlikely Betis will let the Algerian international leave on loan so Arsenal may need to wait until the summer before trying to lure him to north London.

READ –> Arsenal transfer news

Mandi is predominantly a centre-back but he’s also comfortable playing at right-back or left-back if needed so he’d be a useful addition to the squad. The problem is we need reinforcements now, so Emery may not be able to wait until the summer to land the Betis defender.