Approach made 

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Arsenal are reportedly looking to secure the next William Saliba by snatching one of Paris Saint-Germain’s most promising talents for a cut-price transfer fee this summer. Reports suggest the Gunners have made an approach to sign 18-year-old defender Emmanuel Mbemba from the Ligue 1 champions on a free transfer.

Mbemba is highly regarded at PSG, having captained their Under-19 team to French Youth Cup glory as well as impressing scouts at the Under-17 World Cup with France. His youth contract is due to expire on June 30, 2026 and he has been offered a new deal by the French giants. However, he is yet to agree professional terms, opening the door for Arsenal and other clubs to fight for his signature.

As Mbemba is under the age of 24, PSG would be due to receive a nominal fee for his training compensation, having been brought through the club’s academy. But the fee they end up paying could be as low as €175,000, making it a low-risk deal for Arsenal to complete.

Taking the William Saliba pathway

PSG have utilised Mbemba as a centre-back when playing for their youth team in the National U19 Championship. However, Arsenal reportedly see him as a potential left-back in the future, which is not a surprise considering how the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White have been converted from centre-backs to full-backs under Mikel Arteta.

Mbemba is said to be keen on a move to north London after the club laid out their progression plan for him, similar to how Saliba established himself at the Emirates. Per the BBC, the newly-crowned Premier League champions want Mbemba to gain some first-team experience on loan with a European team until January 2027, which will help him earn a work permit to play in England.

Saliba first moved on loan to St-Etienne before joining OGC Nice and Marseille for the next two seasons. It was only when he was 22 with three seasons of football under his belt that the centre-back broke into the first team under Arteta. Now with a market value of €100 million, the joint-highest of any defender in history, Arsenal are looking to repeat the trick.