SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - AUGUST 19: Leandro Paredes of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg celebrates his goal during the Russian Premier League match between FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and FC Ural Ekaterinburg at Saint Petersburg Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Arsenal Gossip

Leandro Paredes set for PSG medical today – freeing up Christopher Nkunku exit

Jan 25, 2019

Paris Saint-Germain are set to sign Leandro Paredes on Saturday after the midfielder holds a medical in Doha today, freeing up Christopher Nkunku to leave, according to reports.

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku kicks the ball during the French League Cup round of 8 football match between Orleans (USO) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Source stadium in Orleans, on December 18, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images) — Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder Christopher Nkunku kicks the ball during the French League Cup round of 8 football match between Orleans (USO) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Source stadium in Orleans, on December 18, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)

RMC reporter Mohamed Bouhafsi claims (via GFFN) that Paredes will undergo a medical in Doha ahead of signing his four-and-a-half year contract with PSG. Zenit have agreed to sell for a €40m fee, with €5m in bonuses.

Di Marzio report a similar story, confirming RMC’s claims about the transfer fee and adding that Paredes is expected in France on Saturday.

The reason this is all relevant to Arsenal is that David Ornstein confirmed on Thursday that the club’s loan move for Christopher Nkunku depended on PSG signing cover first, as well as agreeing on a new contract with the player. Given Paredes is a midfielder, like Nkunku, it appears the Ligue 1 club have their cover now.

According to Ornstein, Arsenal are trying to sign Nkunku on loan with an option to buy. Football.London add that the option to buy would be around £18m, and that Arsenal have been following Nkunku since even before Arsene Wenger left the club.

Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (L) is congratulated by Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku after scoring a goal during the French League Cup round of sixteen football match Orleans vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on December 18, 2018 at La Source stadium in Orleans. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images) — Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (L) is congratulated by Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder Christopher Nkunku after scoring a goal during the French League Cup round of sixteen football match Orleans vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on December 18, 2018, at La Source stadium in Orleans. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)

As well as in the middle, Nkunku can also play on the right as a wing-back, which could be helpful after Hector Bellerin’s recent injury. He’s made 16 appearances this season (eight starts) and scored two goals. Follow this link for the full report on Arsenal’s pursuit of Nkunku.