Arsenal are in talks to sign Reims centre-back Axel Disasi on a five-year deal for £15m, according to reports in France.

The Daily Mail report that Arsenal are in talks to sign Axel Disasi for £15m this summer. The Gunners made an initial approach for the defender in December, but Reims rejected it back then.

The situation is different now. Disasi only has a contract for one more year, so Reims have agreed to let him leave to avoid losing him for free.

Arsenal have been scouting the defender since the start of the season. He’s up to 32 appearances in all competitions, helping Reims keep the best defensive record in Ligue 1. In fact, only Real Madrid have a better record in Europe’s top-five leagues.

With the impact of the current league shutdown, the Mail suggest this deal represents the ‘new market’ for Arsenal. They can reportedly no longer afford the likes of Dayot Upamecano, with €60m release clauses.

L’Equipe reported that Arsenal have been in ‘constant contact’ with Reims over Disasi.

The young defender is a France u20 international, but he’s yet to make his senior debut. His 2019/20 campaign earned him a lot of praise in France, and DR Congo were pushing for him to join up with their squad in March.