According to the French media, Arsenal are currently keeping an eye on Nice centreback, Malang Sarr.

The 17-year-old who L’Equipe claim is about to sign his first professional contract with the French club, has made 15 appearances so far this season and started every Ligue 1 fixture. In fact, he’s incredibly highly rated and attributed with helping Nice rise to the top of their league, six points above Monaco and PSG in second and third.

L’Equipe claim that Sarr’s deal will be four-to-five years long and he’ll have a whopping €50m release clause. Blimey.

Meanwhile, le10sport are saying that Arsenal are keen on the young defender, which isn’t new. Back in the first week of October we commented on the reports that we’re scouting the Frenchman.

Nices French defender Malang Sarr (C) gestures as he celebrates his goal during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and Rennes on August 14, 2016, at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, southern France. (FRANCK PENNANT/AFP/Getty Images)
Nices French defender Malang Sarr (C) gestures as he celebrates his goal during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and Rennes on August 14, 2016, at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, southern France. (FRANCK PENNANT/AFP/Getty Images)

While €50m sounds like a lot for a 17-year-old (it is), release clauses aren’t the be all and end all. In fact, as Sport Witness points out in their report, they’re not legally enforceable. Clubs can negotiation the price down.

Saying this, while it’s completely plausible that Arsenal are keeping an eye on the lad, there’s no way Arsene Wenger would pay anything close to Sarr’s release clause and if Nice are truly slapping this massive sum on his head, there’s no way they’ll let him go for a huge discount amount either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wYTz1P7NiU