Arsenal and Chelsea enter Man United transfer battle for £52m-rated defender
Arsenal and Chelsea are preparing a move for AS Monaco central defender Axel Disasi, though face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United.
The Gunners have already upgraded their options in defence with the £34.4million signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax. Mikel Arteta has also been busy in the market elsewhere, securing the services of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice to surpass the £200million mark.
Chelsea's enormous overhaul of the playing squad under Mauricio Pochettino continues to develop this summer. Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Diego Moreira and Angelo have all been signed, though plenty more arrivals are expected to follow.
According to The Sun, both teams are interested in France international Disasi. The Monaco ace is valued at €60million (£51.9m) by CIES Football Observatory, though the report claims the French side rate the defender at £34million.
Man United have been linked with the defender this summer, alongside Newcastle. The report from The Sun claims that if Diogo Dalot departs, a move for the 25-year-old may be sanctioned by Erik ten Hag.
The influx of money in France isn't as great in comparison to the Premier League, meaning Monaco may have no choice but to accept a bid for Disasi.
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Disasi has appeared over 125 times for Monaco since moving from Stade Reims. His appearances have earned him a place in Didier Deschamps' France squad, though he has struggled to get regular minutes due to Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, Wesley Fofana and Ibrahima Konate.
Chelsea's decision to allow Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta to leave this summer has left Pochettino incredibly short at centre-back.
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