Emery Pushes Arsenal Board To Finalize Deal For Defender

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Arsenal have identified Gremio and Argentina defender Walter Kannemann as a possible signing this summer with Unai Emery keen to upgrade his centre back options.

The 28-year-old has caught the eye in South American football over the past couple of years after helping Brazilian side Gremio win the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 2017.

Kannemann, who has also played for San Lorenzo in his homeland as well as Atlas in Mexico, made his international debut for Argentina in September and came on as a substitute during their 3-1 home defeat to Venezuela on Friday for his third cap.

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According to the Daily Mail, Kannemann has a £17m buyout clause in his contract and Arsenal are weighing up whether or not to make a move with Emery considering a defensive reshuffle ahead of the new season.

Arsenal have conceded 39 goals in the Premier League this term, over double that of league leaders Liverpool who have let in just 18.

Arsenal signed Sokratis Papastathopolous from Dortmund last summer and while the Greek international has been a success, Shkodran Mustafi has endured another error-strewn campaign while captain Laurent Koscielny will turn 34 in September.

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Gremio’s domestic rivals Flamengo, as well as Argentine sides Boca Juniors and Independiente, are also believed to be monitoring Kannemann, as are Atletico Madrid whose manager Diego Simeone worked with him previously at San Lorenzo.

Kannemann isn’t the only Argentine international on Arsenal’s radar with Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico also reportedly a summer target.

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Ajax are said to be holding out for a fee of around £17m for the 26-year-old.

Arsenal have been in good form of late, climbing into fourth in the Premier League table and reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League where they will face Napoli.

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